An editorial in the Frederick News-Post, reported that the Frederick County Commissioners voted Sept. 4 to make the pilot municipal recycling center program permanent, and even approved the potential for expansion to additional municipalities. According to the editorial, the program was found to be less costly than anticipated.

One factor that may have influenced the budget-conscious BoCC was the cost associated with last year’s pilot program. While up to $100,000 had been budgeted for 2013, the three participating municipalities used only a total of $12,300 of the funds available. No doubt a big surprise at Winchester Hall.

At $50,000, the fiscal 2014 budget is only half that of the pilot year of the program, and may also have to fund new recycling programs in Brunswick and Thurmont if they decide to join current participants Walkersville, Middletown and Emmitsburg.

The method of funding the program has also changed. During the pilot year, funding was based on municipal population. From here on out, each municipality will bill the county — up to a total of $10,000 each — for their expenses to operate the program in their town.

If last year’s costs were a good yardstick, even if the program expands to five municipalities, the $50,000 budget should suffice.

For more information, see the full story from the News-Post.