By DAPHNE HUTCHINSON

By DAPHNE HUTCHINSON

Rappahannock !Ncwa Staff Writer

The Rappahannock supervisors got down to business at a special work session last Thursday and ended up with a $4.40 tax rate for 1980-81 to support contemplated expenditures of $2,760,250. By slashing the proposed school budget by $26,000 and taking another chunk from the county's accumulated surplus, the supervisors reduced the advertised levy by 10 cents, a 20 cent increase per $100 of assessed value over the current rate.

The supervisors also made two significant additions to the budget for the coming fiscal year—both firsts for Rappahannock. For the first time, local government officials and the county will be protected with liability insurance and deputies in the Rappahannock sheriff’s department will drive countyowned cars instead of their private' vehicles while on duty.

At the beginning of the joint session with the school board, supervisor chairman E.P. Luke noted that the tax rate for 1980-81 was advertised at $4.50 while the budget as of June 5 required a $4.60 levy.

“We want to get 20 cents off,” stated supervisor H.B. Wood.

“Well, we have to get 10 ^ cents.” Luke noted. “If we get more than than, it's ’ fine.”

Capital Outlay Cut

Luke suggested that $16,565—approximately 10 cents on the levy—but cut from the school board’s appropriation for capital outlay, leaving in that category just $4,715 of federal Title 1 funds.

The allocation for capital outlay included money for musical instruments, emergency lighting at both schools, special education equipment and underground gasoline tanks.

Wood asked how the Title I capital outlay funds were proposed to be spent.

“There,” answered Walter Masterson. wavhing his hand in the direction of superintendent William Bloomer and assistant superintendent Rob McDaniel. “They're the ones who spend it.”