The Farmville herald and farmer-leader. (Farmville, Va.) 1934-1957, 1954-05-07
County Budget Hearing Thursday Draws
Almost Unanimous Vote For Economies
Rather Than Tax Hike TO Meet Deficit
Over 300 Meet
Thursday With
Board Supervisors

BY practically unanimous vote
over 300 taxpayers from every
section of Prince Edward county
requested the Board Of Super
visors ITO make necessary adjust
ments and economies to balance
the proposed county budget for
l954-55, and not to increase tax
rates on real estate and mer-
chants capital at this time" The
motion, made by Fred Hamburg,
Jr.. came after full discussion of
the budget had been held.
1t was pointed out during the
discussions that by using S35, 429.-
90 estimated to be the balance in
the treasury at June 30. 1854, and
a U. S. Government Bond of
$4,000. the proposed budget was
out Of balance by $12.5l2O0
Suggested Cuts
Ways Of meeting the deficit
other than increase in real es-
tate taxes Or merchants capital
were suggested as follows:
/ Place canneries. operated at
several points throughout the
county, on self sustaining basis.
The saving to the county is esti-
mated to be $4,000
2 Assess a capitation tax Of
Sf00 per adult citizen. which 1t
Is estimated would be $4,000.
Effect some economies by de-
letting a water truck proposed for
purchase for the county fire de-
partmcnt at a saving of $4,000.
delete one school bus at a saving
Of $4,000, and make such other
economies as possible.
Rev r.. p. WEIGH opened the
hearing with prayer after which.
Edward Carter. chairman Of the
board Of Supervisors. presented
the subject.
School Budget
M r. Large, chairman Of the
Prince Edward School Board.
told the gathering that the addi-
tional revenue needed for the
coming year was brought about by
two items. namely. debt service,
including interest on the new r.
r Motion High School Of $4,000.
action by the General Assembly
requiring a raise in teachers sala-
ries in total of $4,000, of which
the State pays half. leaving SIP
500 to be paid by the county.
Mr.. Large also pointed out the
fact that on July /. 1858 the school
board had cash balance OF Sll,-
68054 which will not be the case
at the beginning of the next fiscal
year on July l. 1854
Mr. Large further pointed out
that the School Board had made
conservative estimates with no
funds for contingencies which
might arise, and in his judgment
the budget could not be reduced
without curtailing services.
He pointed out that the county
canneries were under the admin
istration Of the school board at
the direction of the Board of
Supervisors and that the net cost
TO the county was approximately
$4,000 per year
Wants CannerieS
George Freeman. Of Mchcnin,
states that the canneries were Of
great value to the people Of the
county. and he hopes that they
could be continued.
w S Weaver. of Rice, stated
that "it was coming to the place
where we can't stand additional
taxes. and with farm income
falling approximately 1877. while
operational costs remained fixed
Or advanced, the farmer could not
stand an additional tax burden
j Hugh Gillian, of Farmville.
opposed increases in taxes and
suggested that economy be prac-
ticed to balance the budget sug-
costing elimination OF canneries.
and the proposed water truck for
the fire department
F. l. Dahl, of Farmville, said n"
thought the county was getting
Continued On PAGE 81