Evening star., 1953-06-24
Council C|ings
To Tax RateCut
In Budget Boost
Aims at Levy Of
$1.90 While Adding
TotoI Of $366,237

IOtUI VI 30OOSZ)I
Despite proposed budget in
creases totaling $500, ,237. tho
Montgomery County Council still
is aiming at the $1.90 tax rate
recommended by fomer County
Manager Irving G. McNayr.
The proposed tax rate for tho
fiscal year beginning July /
would be 20 cents below the pres
ent $2.10 rate. Z
In announcing a large num-
ber Of relatively minor budget
item increases, the council made
1t evident it had held the line on
recommended appropriations for
schools, libraries and school con-
struction, despite strong pres
sure.
The council also announced
that it appears the assessable
base will be some $40 million
above earlier estimates.
Would Permit Lower Rate.
This increase in the base, cou-
pied with use of surplus funds.
will make it possible to hold the
$1.90 tax rate recommended by
Mr.. McNayr, despite raises in
budget expenditures.
The council will hold a pub
lie hearing at 8 pm. Friday on
all budget increases. The county
officials are required by law to
announce the increases through
the press and hold a hearing on
them before adoption of the
budget Tuesday.
The council has turned down
School Board requests that the
81 million recommended by Mr..
McNayr for school construction
be increased to the $7.2 million
originally requested by the board.
There were indications that the
council had had some close votes
on increasing budget items.
Some councilmen are known
to be concerned about Mr.. Nc
Nayr's admitted effort to hold
expenditures at a bare mini
num-" No item in his budget
can be increased, except by q
5-to-2 vote.
Minority Decides.
The result is that, in a num-
ber of cases, the minority has
ruled the council: and increases
have failed. although four votes
were cast in their favor.
The major increase in operat-
ing expenses voted was $99, 9,694
for teachers salaries. The in
crease would allow for all nor
NAL pay raises, plus the hiring
of 1872 new teachers at $4,000
each, instead of $4,000. as pro-
vided in the McNayr budget.
The council also raised the
appropriation for special school,
ing of crippled children from
$4,000 to $3O,970. Another
$4,000 was allowed for fuel for
the schools, $4,000 for salaries Of
two assistant superintendents
and $3,400 for rental of IBM
machines for the schools.
Some $25,000 was voted for
surveying the M Mont g o IN cry
Prince Georges County line:
$4,000 for second part-time ap.
praiser for the Appeals Tax
Court, $3.50 for more election
officials, $2,250 for increased cost
of voting machines, $4,000 more
for new roof on the old court
house, $1,000 for part-time
school nurses, $4,653 for aid to
dependent children. $1,000 for
disqualification of indigents and
$25, 900 for aid to hospitals.
Other Increases.
The increases also include
$37,637 for debt service assumed
on Maryland-N National Capital
Park and Planning Commission
bonds. $4,000 for increasing the
contingency fund to 10000,
$4,000 for Workmen's Compensa-
ton Insurance. $14.500 for max
ing possible purchase of 20 new
police cars and $4,000 for gaso-
line for police and a number Of
$3.50 salary increases for old-time
department heads.
The council also disclosed yes
terday that estimates now indi-
cate the surplus July / will be
$2,035, 900.
OF this sum, the council ten
tatively is considering using
$3.50. 900. instead of 81 million as
recommended by Mr.. McNayr,
for school construction.
Another $137,300- would be-
used for other capital projects,
with 1915, 400 going toward op-
Grating expenses to block an in
crease in the proposed tax rate.
The council apparently is fol-
lowing Acting County Manager
Alex Hancock'S suggestion that
the remaining $772.000 be held
in surplus reserve in case tax
collections should fall of because
of war or a business recession.
AS it now stands, the council
is talking in terms of a $15,937,-
mn 0nnrotinu hiid0ot for +bA