Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-03-16
Budget Would
Raise Arlington
RATE - Cents
CountyMonoger Also
Proposes Increase
In Service Charges
By Wilton J. Elvin

BY Wiiliom }. tlyin
A 73-cent tax rate increase
for Arlington is proposed in
school and general county bud
gets for 1866 being studied
by the County Board.
County Manager A. T. Lund-
berg is recommending a ascent
rise for county operations and
capital improvements. His bud
get also calls for an increase in
the water-sewer service charge
from 80 cents per 1000 gallons
to SO cents.
The managers recommends.
tions and the School Board pro.
posal each calls for about 81
million in new expenditures.
The School Board recon-
mended a tax rate increase Of
about As cents to meet its pro-
posed budget of $9.050,315.
The managers proposed OPP
Grating budget totals $7.437.032.
compared to an estimated ST.
410, 800. for the current fiscal
year. He also recommends that
| $50, 900 in capital improvements.
a decrease from the amount in
the current budget, be met from
1866 revenues.
Two Hearings Set
The County Board will hold
public hearings on both budgets
at 8 pm. on April 81 and April
% at Stratford Junior High
School. The budgets must be
adopted and tax rates must be
set by May Is.
Present tax rates are So per
500 of valuation on real estate
and $3.75 on personal property.
Total assessment for the fiscal
year beginning July l is esti-
mated at $310,973.139, an In
crease of about SIS million over
the current total.
Mr.. Lllndberg's proposal In
cludes:
A sum Of 100000 to give
county employees a S per cent
pay increase.
About $4,000 for putting q
new fire station into operation
in the Rosslyn area.
An appropriation of $68, 900 for
the county's share in construc-
ton of the Regional Juvenile De.
tention Home
Capital Budget
The capital budget. aside
from bond funds and water
sewer funds, would be spent
this way.
Recreation and parks (in-
Guiding $4,000 toward construc.
ton Of a new recreation center),
100000; highways, $183,100:
land acquisition. $4,000, and
other purposes.
The operating budget would
retain the six-day week for
policemen and would add four
patrolmen and three crossing
guards.
Debt service costs will rise by
$180,645. A pay plan adopted
earlier this year will add $4,000
for salary adjustments, in addi-
ton to the proposed per cent
pay raise.
Contributions listed in the
managers budget include $12.-
500 for Arlington Hospital, plus
$4,000 for the Arlington Hos
pital building fund, and $4,000
for Anderson Hospital.
More Automotive Costs
Automotive equipment costs
will rise by about $89, 900 be-
cause costs of maintenance and
equipment have increased, the
manager said, AS Of June 80,
1854. the automotive equipment
fund showed a deficit Of nearly
$4,000.
Among other increases pro-
posed in the county budget are
$4,000 for social security and
retirement funds, $43,29O for the
county's share of Virginia Pub
lie Assistance and $24,170 for q
re-assessment in 1856.
The water-sewer rate will in
crease, Mr.. Lundberg said, to
meet the cost of Sit million in
new bonds and to provide the
5 per cent pay increase in those
departments.
At present rates, the property
tax would bring in about "a
million. Mr.. Lundberg estimated,
an increase of about $2I5,0o0
over receipts from that source
this year. With other revenue.
the manager said, receipts will
be UP about 1921 900 next year.
but a smaller surplus on June
80 this year than last year will
cut the net increase in revenue
to about $4,000.
With a budget up 16 per cent
and revenues rising only 4.6 per
cent higher rates are necessary.
or new revenue sources must be
found. the manager told the
board.