County firefighters were due a 6 percent pay raise under a four-year contract they negotiated in 2007, but the fire union tentatively agreed earlier to delay that increase by six months. Federal grants would pay for 12 new firefighters who will staff new modular firestations proposed for Glenwood and Jessup.
Howard joins some other area governments in proposing spending plans that include layoffs, furloughs and other cuts.
Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon has proposed laying off as many as 153 workers, closing recreation centers and swimming pools, and reducing library hours. Harford County Executive David R. Craig's budget proposal calls for many county employees to take five unpaid furlough days.
Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold said his county is set to eliminate more than 100 vacant jobs, as well as dip into its rainy day fund for the first time as it tries to avoid layoffs.
Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr.'s budget proposal includes a modest increase in water and sewer rates, but it gives raises to teachers and other county employees and avoids layoffs and furloughs.
In Howard County, the $820.2 million general fund portion of the budget proposal represents a 4 percent cut from the current fiscal year's spending plan. The cut would be the steepest since 1992, officials said.
School funding would rise $2.7 million, the minimum required under the state's maintenance-of-effort law. Howard, unlike some local governments, did not ask for a waiver of the law, which ties local spending for schools to state aid. For the current fiscal year, education spending rose $44 million, school officials said.
Teachers union President Ann DeLacy said she has not given up on getting cost-of-living-pay raises for her members, saying money can be found. "One place to look is in transportation," she said.
The County Council has until June 1 to adopt a capital and an operating budget for the fiscal year that begins in July. The $392 million capital budget proposal was announced April 1, and the council is to hold a work session on it Tuesday.
2010 HOWARD BUDGET
Taxes: No rate increases
Water and sewer fees: 6 percent increase costing $10.95 per quarter for a family of four
Cost-of-living raises: None for most county workers. Firefighters get 6 percent Jan. 1. Teachers still negotiating.
Total operating budget: $1.4 billion, a $21.2 million decrease
Capital budget: $392 million
Total education expense: $788.5 million
Source: Howard County government
