Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett announced Thursday the suburb will need to close a $350 million shortfall over the next two fiscal years.
In a letter to county employees, Leggett estimated the county has a $100 million gap in this fiscal year’s budget and predicted a $250 million shortfall next fiscal year.
“I wish I could say to you that our difficulties are easing, but this is not the case,” Leggett warned.
County officials already closed an unprecedented $1 billion shortfall this year. The new gap was created by the rejection of the county’s new ambulance fee, which created a $12.5 million shortfall, and income tax returns that were tens of millions of dollars less than expected.
Leggett is expected to submit another savings plan to the County Council Thursday, which will outline $22 million more in immediate cuts — including $19 million from Montgomery County Public Schools.
Leggett is also asking non-public safety departments to propose 15 percent reductions for next fiscal year. Public safety departments will suggest 5 percent reductions.
