Leggett freezes county hiring

County Executive Ike Leggett has frozen hiring for county jobs in his latest move to cut costs, but just how many positions will be frozen and how much money will be saved is up for debate.

Montgomery County is facing a $401 million projected budget gap for the fiscal year that begins next July. Last month, Leggett proposed reducing current spending by $23.6 million through cuts including the elimination ofsome bus routes, reducing the size of this winter’s police recruit class and taking a fire truck out of service. The hiring freeze took effect Friday, but he pledged to exempt public safety and essential personnel.