Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-03-16
Prince Georges
Budget Items
Being Reviewed
Coll for Increase
Of IS Cents in
Busic Tax Rate

Elk Explanations by Prince
Georges department chiefs OF
budget requests which would re-
quire a IS cent increase in the
present $1.9S basic tax rate are
under review today by the
county commissioners.
Heads of major agencies
presented their cases at Upper
Marlboro yesterday at the first
Of two public hearings before
final figures are set by March
81. The second hearing win be-
gin at II am. Friday in Hyatts-
vile.
No comment was heard from
the county heads throughout
yesterdays proceedings which
were attended by only IS per-
sons. Later, Chairman Jesse s.
Baggett said members Of his
board are about % cents apart"
In their views as to what the new
tax rate should be. It was in
dicated that few Of the bureau
requests win escape pruning.
Breakdown Of Figures
The $3.50 base levy held neces-
sary to collect from county prop
erty tax payers SILT million OF
the total $22.7 million budget was
computed on a new assessable
base of $488.8 million. plus $13.1
million Of new construction ex-
pected to become taxable this
year. Another SIC million will be
added to the base If legislation
pending in the General Assembly
Is enacted.
OF the $22.7 million. $8.2 mil
lion would come from the State
and other sources and the coun-
tvs $l4.5 million share would
be reducded by $2.8 million of
miscellaneous revenue.
II the estimated IS cents adj
vance. Is ordered. the final figure
would be higher. To the $3.50
basic rate would be added the
1l-cent State real estate tax and
In some n1incorpo rated sections,
q 10-cent fire tax and utility
leyies totaling Is cents, bringing
the total tax rate to $2.72 on.
each $199 Of assessed valuation.
In towns the municipal tax
would be added to the base rate.
Two Cut Original Estimates
Two department heads an
nounced that they had lowered
their original estimates. George
n. Robinson, assistant school
superintendent said he had cut
$4,000 of his original request
for ST. million of county funds
-$23, 900 because the John Han
son School at Oxon Hill will not
be completed this year as had
been planned. The other reduce
ton. he said, viii not hamper
school operations.
DR.. Thomas S. Englar, head
of the County Health Depart
ment, said he had "by agree
ment" Topped about $21 900 from
his request for $40. 900 Of coun-
ty money. The remaining $780,
600. If granted. would be about
$4,000 more than was APP
propriated this year.
The increase, DR.. Englar said,
would finance addition Of eight
nurses to the present staff OF Is
and give the department three
instead Of the present two nurse
supervisors.
Mental Clinic Discarded
DR. Englar reported that he
had discarded his requests for
an assistant health officer, a
nlental-social worker and other
personnel, as well as $1,000 for
a mental health clinic.
Mrs. William H. Wood, former
president of the county League
Of Women Voters, emphasized
that such q clinic is needed and
remarked that she was dis
tressed" to learn that it had been
deleted.
Mrs. Sterling Ament, vice
president Of the League Of wom-
en- Voters, protested general
salary increases without estab-
lishment OF personnel classifica-
ton. Mrs. Irma Bogdanoff,
chairman Of the County Youth
council. asked q $1,000 appro-
priation for the fiscal year be-
ginning July /.