Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-27
Tax Boost Seen
If Falls Church
Votes Bond Plan
ascent Increase
Seen Necessary
By City Manager

By City Manager
Passage of a proposed $500. 900
Falls Church school bond issue
would require a ascent increase
in the real estate tax rate, I'm.
less revenue is raised in some
other way, according to City
Manager w. Rodes Woodbury..
The School Board predicts an
enrolment increase of about 800
students in the next two years.
Schools will be greatly over
crowded unless the bond issue
passes, the board statement said.
A referendum on the school
bond proposal and another pro-
posed bond issue of $685., 900 for
water system improvements will
be held March 3. ST.
Rate to Rise in June.
The present real estate tax
rate of $2.75 per 500 of real
estate valuation must be raised
about Is cents this June to meet
the cost of a $400. 900 bond issue
approved in 1853. The 100000
program is for streets and storm
sewers.
The average homeowner's tax
bill would be increased about SIS
or $50 q year by the street-sewer
bond issue and the school bond
issue, the manager estimates.
The 100000 bond issue would
raise the citys general obliga-
ton bonded, debt to S2.230.0oo.
according to city officials. With
the present total assessed valua-
ton of s17,223,0o the city under
State law can borrow a total OF
only about $3.1 million. -.
The state law limits general
borrowing to Is per cent OF total
valuation. Future growth OF the
city or a reassessment program
could increase the amount the
city can borrow.
See Threat to Borrowing.
One or two more bond issues
similar to those approved in
recent years could result in a
''long, dry SPELL" with the city's
borrowing power virtually frozen
for perhaps Is years. according
to some city officials.
The same officials have drawn
up tables showing the per capita
debt. estimated at $3.50 in 1928
would jump to about $3.50 il
the school bond issue is approved.
The School Board believes that
in addition to The program now
proposed 13 classrooms now in
use in the city should be replaced
as soon as possible.
Other city officials have other
plans they believe should be car
ried out as soon as possible.
These projects include 100000
more for streets in the next three
years, 100000 for drainage.
$250,000 for a municipal building
and sl50.000 for public library.
The city's finance department
also wants 100000 held in re-
serve pending a settlement with
Fairfax County. The county and
city have not yet settled accounts
resulting from separation OF
Falls Church from the county in
1913.
S1.3 Million Building Program.
The School Board. since its
creation in 1949, after Falls
Church became a city, has car
ried out $13 million building
program. Of this amount, $685.
900 came from bond issues and
the rest from Federal and State
funds.
George Mason High School
and Mount Daniel Elementary
School have been built and en-
larged apd Madison Elementary
School has been remodeled.
Now the board is faced again
with rising enrolment and the
need for new facilities in build
ings already constructed.
Present enrolment of about
1900 is expected to increase to
more than 1000 by 1856.
About 100000 of the proposed
100000 bond issue would be
spent at George Mason. The
board plans to add an industrial
arts shop. cafeteria-study hall.
three classrooms, an art room,
two athletic team rooms. two
music rooms ad an expanded
library.
Elementary school construc-
ton, planned as an addition to
Mount Daniel or as a separate
school, would include eight class
rooms. a multi-purpose room.
library, kitchen and Office.
No Increase in Water Plan.
The $685., 900 water system i'm
provement bond issue would not
increase tax rates. according to
the city manager.
Water rates might be in.
creased if the City Council i'm.
posed a tax on all utilities.
The water bond fund would
be used to install a 36-inch pipe
across the Potomac at Little
Falls where the Corps of Engi-
neers is building a dam. This
pipe will be used as a future con-
nection between Falls Church
and its source Of water supply.
the District plant at Dalecarlia.
At present, Falls Church uses
one of Arlington's lines under
Chain Bridge.
The water bond funds also
would be used to retire $176,500
in temporary notes used to ex-
pand the city's water system.
Salvation Army Dance
The Arlington County sheriff