Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-11
Arlington Tax
Increase Plan
7oBeAired

n CCIlCdIlNC real cSIdU6 UdH
rate increase of 10 cents will
be aired at a public hearing
IN Arlington County to finance
a proposed 1888 million school
and county budget for the next
fiscal year.
This was agreed on by the
County Board yesterday after
the budget proposal was sub
mitted by County Manager A.
T. Lundberg.
AS drafted by Mr.. Lundberg,
the budget called for a 10 cent
increase in the realty rate and
a corresponding 10 cent in
crease in the personal property
rate.
Board Chairman Ernest D.
Wilt led off the budget dis
cussion, however, by observing
that a majority of the board
members were opposed to any
personal property tax increase
for the coming fiscal year.
SIS Million Increase
The 19-cent real estate tax
increase was agreed on with
the understanding among board
members that it would be
chopped down after public
hearings are held.
The county budget calls for
$21.8 million and the school
budget for another $16.5 mil
lion. The present real estate
tax rate is 1881. The personal
property tax is $4.35.
! The county budget as drawn
by Mr.. Lundberg, asks $2.6
million more than the county
spent for the current fiscal
year.
With anticipated revenue
$375,000 short of balancing
the total outlay, Mr.. Lund-
berg proposed increasing taxes
to cover normal growth, &C
CELEBRATED programs, and the
general wage adjustment"
The board said tentatively it
would hold public hearings on
either April 16 or II depend
ing on which date suits the
school board.
The county budget includes
a revised pay schedule for
county employees to bring them
more in line with their coun-
terparts in Fairfax County.
Their last raise, about 2.5 per
cent, was two years ago.
The pay raises, costing about
$509,000, would provide an in
crease Of S per cent or more
for nearly all employees with
five years of service.
Teacher Pay Raise
Mr.. Lundberg said the pro-
posed amount set aside for pay
raises was the largest in the
county'S history.
The school budget also re-
quests pay raises for teachers
increasing their yearly earnings
by 5000 to 5000. This would
cost $618,000.
The county budget calls for
expansion Of the police and fire
divisions, allocates 100000 for
library book purchases, and
$495, 900 for construction of
three library branches in Shirl-
ington, Westover, and Glencar-
lyn.
The board, in separate action,
moved to acquire, by condem-
nation, if necessary, IA acres
on Windy run at the George
Washington parkway for a ma
ture walk area. The board set
a tentative price Of $4,000 on
the land.
Wire Tapping Studied
The board also appointed a
special committee tn review the
county'S overlapping policy.
Board members repeatedly
defended their previous wiretap
authorization by citing reports
from Police Chief William
Fawver that dope was being
peddled In junior high schools.
All the board members agreed
that they would be happier if
Virginia law provided for court
control of overlapping.
Some of the board members
objected to two letters written
to the board by Mr.. Gerber and
other Republicans.
Mr.. Gerber contended that
the strong language" used in
the letters was needed to
dramatic the situation.
Mr.. Corber's letters had OBJ
jected to what ne called a
secret meeting of the board at
which wiretap authorization
was given to Commemorative
Attorney William J. Hassan and
County Manager, A. T. Lund-
berg. Mr.. Lundberg said yes
terday that overlapping had
not been used since authorize
ton was given.
Board Chairman Ernest D.
Wilt said he hoped that Chief
Fawver and Mr.. Lundberg would
explain to the citizens commit
tee why they had not used
wiretaps after an emergency
situation had been outlined to
the board.
Those named to the commit
tee were Thomas Phillips, How
ard w. Lehman, Preston C.
CarIltherS William Draeper