Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett will submit a list of mid-year cuts in coming weeks to fill a growing gap in the county’s budget.
Leggett says the lack of an ambulance fee and an expected surge in state spending requirements will force officials to identify further savings. The county already closed a $1 billion budget gap this year.
“We only have 7 1/2 months to address a full year problem,” Leggett said in a memo to the County Council. “The longer we defer action, the more difficult it will be to realize these savings. Inaction will require only larger reductions in services in FY12.”
In late September, executive officials estimated a $145 million budget gap for fiscal 12. Now, Leggett says the shortfall is closer to $200 million.
Montgomery County residents voted to kill the suburb’s ambulance fee, which created a $12.5 million gap in this fiscal year’s budget. Leggett warned that such an outcome would lead to massive public safety cuts.
