Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-19
Arlington Will Raise
Assessments in 81
First Real Estute
Tax Review in
Six Years Storts
BY TOM BURKE

Arlington homeowners will get
notices Of new-and higher
real estate assessments soon after
the new year begins.
For the first time in six years,
a general reassessment Of all
real estate in Arlington is un-
derway.
The results in almost all cases
will mean higher assessments
for property owners. A rela-
lively few land owners may en-
joy slight reductions in assess
ment for reasons ranging from
errors made in past appraisal
or changing land values.
Though the effect Of the re-
assessment is not expected to
approach the rs per cent average
increase which resulted from
the 1850 reappraisal. property
owners can expect an increase.
The flve-memper Reassessment
Board, headed by j. Maynard
Magruder. has declined to es-
innate what the average in.
crease will be.
Mr.. Magruder said individual
notices are being prepared now
for the 10000 residential parcels
which have been viewed, COM
pared and reasSessed. The notices
may be in the mail by jan
uary /.
Asks for Extension
Meanwhile, work is proceeding
on an estimated 5000 parcels Of
commercial property and $500
apartment buildings. Mr.. Ma
gruder said the Reassessment
Board has asked the Arlington
Circuit Court to grant a three
month extension from the De-
cember 81 deadline for complete
ing the big job.
The new assessments will be
effective January l, though
property owners will have the
fight to appeal the new figure to
a board Of equalization and re-
view which could alter the Re.
assessment Boards finding.
The total assessed valuation Of
all Arlington real estate jumped
80 per cent as a result Of the
1850 reassesSment. Though the
average increase was rs per cent
for individual land holders, many
found their realty valuations
were jumped more than 100 per
cent.
Tax Rate Reduced
Real estate taxes are based on
the assessment figures. Following
the 1850 reappraisal the Arling-
ton County Board was besieged
with requests by taxpayers and
civic groups to lower the tax
rate to conform to the new as
sessment. The rate was reduced
but not to the equalization point
and the result was higher indi-
vidual tax bills in 1881 than in
1850.
A notice already prepared for
mailing with the individual as
sessments offers an explanation
of the work Of the Reassessment
Board.
The notice recites the 20 per
cent increase in construction
costs In this area, the removal
OF about 80 per cent Of unde-
veloped land since 1851 by new
construction and the fact that
only Is per cent Of Arlington land
remains undeveloped.
This shortage of land ex-
plains, In part. the reason for the
sharp rise in land values In the
past several years." the notice
declared.
This assessment has been
made after consideration Of the
above facts and after each parcel
Of property has been viewed and
evaluated," 1t adds.
40 Per Cent Of Market Value
Mr.. Magruder said the Reas-
sessment Board set the individ-
ual assessments on the basis Of
40 per cent of the fair market
value Of each parcel. He said
property owners who feel the
new assessment Is unjustified
viii be given an opportunity TO
discuss their cases before the
Reassessment Board and have
the further right to appeal to
the Equalization and Review
Board.
Other members Of the Re-
assessment Board. all Of whom
were appointed by Arlington
Circuit Court Judge Walter T.
Mccarthy. are J. w. England,
Fred A. 0osneil. IT,. c. L. Hanoi
well and william p. PArramore.
Edward B. Wright. appointed TO
the board early this year, re-
signed in September.