About 250 people urged Howard County Executive James N. Robey last night to provide money in his annual budget for their pet projects, including school renovations and construction of a public golf course.

Joining Robey at the budget hearing at the George Howard Building in Ellicott City were Raquel Sanudo, the county's chief administrative officer, and Raymond Wacks, the county budget administrator.

Robey alternately smiled, laughed and pursed his lips in thought as residents tried to persuade him to support their favorite projects.

While waiting for the hearing to start, he likened himself to Santa Claus, eager to please everyone but realistic enough to know that he couldn't.

"Santa Claus could promise and not deliver," Robey said. "I have to deliver what I promise."

Robey will send his proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 to the County Council in May.

County departments and agencies have requested about $45 million in county funding for next fiscal year, Wacks said. The county anticipates receiving about $25 million in revenue from property and income taxes.

Robey said the challenge will be deciding which projects get im- mediate funding and those that can be delayed.

In a county that boasts one of the best educational systems in the state, schools was a popular topic last night.

Karen B. Campbell, chairwoman of the county Board of Education, told Robey that expected enrollment increases led to the school system's capital budget request of $39.7 million -- the cost of building three elementary schools or one high school.

"We have no choice but to provide seats for the students," Campbell said. "Howard County government has always assured us that [it] would meet the needs of growth, and the die is cast."

Thomas Bianco, president of the Parent-Teacher-Student Association of Glenelg High School, outlined a plan to add about 350 students and 18 classrooms to a school designed for a capacity of 941.

When Bianco asked parents, teachers and students to stand in a show of support, about 100 people rose from their seats -- prompting Robey to say, "I get the message."

Elizabeth M. Haynes asked Robey to replace Ellicott Mills Middle School, which is not accessible for disabled students and has no bathroom on the second floor.

"For years, we've been put off," she said. "Now it's our turn."

Vivian Bailey reminded Robey that renovations proposed for the central library in Columbia have also been delayed.

"It's been in need for the last seven years," Bailey said. "Each delay means that the cost has gone up."

Robert Rutan, co-chairman of the Howard County Golf Advisory Committee, asked Robey to develop a public golf course owned and operated by the county on a 315-acre tract in West Friendship.

"We're trying to get a golf course that the average worker can afford," Rutan said, noting that greens fees at some private courses in the county are as high as $50. "They've been left out for too long."

Tracey Eberhardt, co-chairwoman of the Education and Youth Issues Committee at the ARC of Howard County, stressed the importance of continued support for the county's special education program.

She also suggested that Robey repeal last year's 2 percent reduction in the county's piggyback tax -- a percentage of the state income tax -- arguing that the cut cost the county about $5.5 million.

Eberhardt said the tax cut gave each family such a small amount of money, "I don't think any family would miss that."

Muriel Sumner, a member of the Passenger Advisory Group for the Howard Area Transit Service, lobbied for more support for the county's bus system.

"If people are hired but can't get to a job, not only are we hurt, but employers are hurt, too," Sumner said. "If we don't have reliable bus service, we're not going to get a job."

Many speakers said they sympathized with Robey, especially after his predecessor, Charles I. Ecker, was widely criticized for being too fiscally conservative.

"After that experience with Ecker, I'm sure Robey will get a lot of requests," said Bill Coyle, a representative of Howard County Citizens for Public Safety, which lobbied for increased funding for the police and fire departments. "I don't envy the man."

Pub Date: 3/03/99