Automatic 2.9 percent pay increases for Howard County Executive Ken Ulman and the five County Council members take effect this week, the anniversary of their swearing-in on Dec. 4 last year.

Ulman's salary increases from $147,000 to $151,263, while the County Council members' salaries rise from $49,000 to $50,421.

The pay levels change annually based on the federal consumer price index, according to legislation adopted by the last County Council in February last year.

By comparison, county police officers received a 5 percent pay raise in this fiscal year, firefighters 6 percent and teachers 5 percent.

Other county employees received 3 percent raises.