Montgomery Council members Thursday sharply questioned County Executive Ike Leggett’s plan to cut bus routes and a county fire truck in an effort to avoid a budget shortfall.
Members submitted 13 pages of detailed queries to the County’s Office of Management and Budget Thursday scrutinizing Leggett’s effort to save $23.6 million this year.
Montgomery County is facing a $401 million projected budget gap in the fiscal year that begins next July, and Leggett says he wants to begin cutting costs immediately. Leggett’s memo about the cuts was released Dec. 21 and council members were asked to submit questions about the reductions during their winter break so the council can be in a position to act on the ideas by mid-to-late January.
Several council members had specific questions about fire and rescue service spending reductions that are expected to increase response times. Leggett’s recommendations included taking a Hillandale ladder truck out of service, conducting annual physicals and certain recertification tests while rescue workers are on duty, and shifting nighttime EMS resources from Glen Echo and Laytonsville to reduce overtime in other areas.
Questions also focused on proposed cuts to the county’s bus services, including the elimination of some bus routes entirely and the Kids Ride Free program and freezing a Call ‘N Ride program that provides transit for low-income residents with disabilities between April and June.
“How will service reductions be determined? Council Member Marc Elrich asked. “Will any consideration be given to maintaining routes that aren’t heavily used but provide essential service for the elderly or disabled?”
Council Staff Director Stephen Farber said the council members were not showing displeasure with the potential cuts, but rather “seeking further detail about the suggested reductions.”
During a 2004 budget crunch, the council approved most of the cuts recommended by then County Executive Douglas Duncan, but declined to approve the destaffing of a fire engine and several reductions in health and human services programs, Farber said.
“No cuts areever easy,” Farber said.
