BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Howard County Council members plan to examine County Executive Ken Ulman’s plan to increase the trash collection fee, with several questioning whether the increase is needed to fund Howard’s recycling program.

“I don’t think it’s the year to increase any kind of fee or taxes,” said Council Chairwoman Courtney Watson, D-District 1.

Ulman’s proposed fiscal 2009 operating budget includes a $50 increase in the trash collection fee, bringing the annual fee to $225, for most residents. Residents in the west who don’t receive yard waste collection service would see a $35 increase.

The additional $5 million this fee increase would generate is expected to help the county purchase recycling bins for every county resident. A pilot program this year gave bins to about 5,400 residents in Elkridge and Ellicott City.

Watson said the county might have the money available for the program without increasing the fee.

Councilman Greg Fox, R-District 5, also questioned why the county needed to increase the trash fee to pay for the one-time purchase of recycling bins.

County officials have said the increase also will mitigate the impending increase in the cost of trash collection. A $33-per-ton, fixed-rate contract with Waste Management will expire in 2013, and county officials expect the rate to more than double.

Fox also vowed to scrutinize new spending, such as the $500,000 boost to cover the county’s Healthy Howard health access plan. He said he wanted more information on the program.

OVERALL SPENDING AT ISSUE

Fox said although the overall budget increase was smaller than fiscal 2008’s budget increase, “it’s coming down off [Ulman’s] mad spending from last year.”

For Councilwoman Mary Kay Sigaty, D-District 4, a 5 percent spending increase “seems reasonable” considering lower revenues in a slumping economy. In recent years, the budget has increased about 10 percent.

The budget includes few new initiatives, Sigaty said, and some departments, particularly the Department of Planning and Zoning, will make do with existing staff on a few new programs.

“I will be asking, ‘Have we managed to do the best for the citizens with the money we have?’ ” Sigaty said.

Councilwoman Jen Terrasa, D-District 3, said she was “pleased with the priorities,” referring to Ulman’s focus on public safety, education and the environment.

Councilman Calvin Ball, D-District 2, called it a “fairly restrained budget,” adding he needed more time to parse through the details.

Ulman briefed council members on the budget and offered a summary of the spending plan.

Department heads also gave a few comments on their priorities at a brief hearing Tuesday evening.

“We see in many of the increases a reflection of our values and our commitment to ensure a high quality of life,” Ball said.

smichael@baltimoreexaminer.com