How does anyone broach the subject of new fees or taxes of any kind, during harsh economic times?

Gingerly. Very gingerly.

The city administration has ventured into that territory by proposing $65,000 be invested to study whether to charge a garbage collection fee and how much to charge. Many people who recoil at the notion say they see no reason to make taxpayers shell out more than they do already, for a service they're accustomed to getting at no additional cost.

They ask: Why even go there? The answer: Because trash collection has never been free, but underwritten by property taxes. Ultimately, only single-family homeowners benefit from a service that is subsidized by the general property-owner class, including condo owners and others who must pay for private trash hauling. The trash-fee study can uncover a way to more fairly distribute the burden of at least one city service.

It would be helpful to know exactly the true costs of the service, something that a detailed study would provide. And the study should probe other possibilities as well — including ways to encourage waste reduction. Fee-payers could receive a partial rebate if they reduce their trash, by weight or volume, through recycling. Cities that have implemented such incentives — or disincentives, through fines for failing to separate recyclables — have seen greater adoption of the new habit.

Finally, the study should examine ways to improve the efficiency of trash collection, rather than merely to assess the costs of the status quo.

The city undoubtedly needs added revenue to cover the gaping hole in the budget produced by a sagging economy and diminishing property taxes.

But property values will recover, tax collections rising along with them. One reality illuminated by this downturn is that the taxpayers need relief, too. Any plans for a trash collection fee should take this reality into account.