Montgomery County ExecutiveIkeLeggetttook his senior staff on a two-day retreat that cost as much as $24,750 after saying the county government had been “living beyond its means” and proposing an increase in property taxes to fill a $400 million budget gap.
The county contracted with Indiggo Associates, a Rockville consulting group, at a rate of $250 an hour to plan and run an “Executive Leadership Retreat” for up to 50 county leaders in June 2008, county procurement records show. The event was held at the county-owned Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, said Leggett’s spokesman, Patrick Lacefield.
The contract allotted $9,000 for consultants to interview and meet Leggett and senior staff, $2,750 for “preparation and synthesis,” and $13,000 to design and facilitate the two-day retreat.
Indiggo was tasked with a retreat that would “clarify and focus” Leggett’s objectives for the county, “enhance team engagement and core values,” and “improve team dynamics,” its contract with the county said.
Lacefield said the county leaders discussed upcoming challenges and shared experiences during the retreat.
Asked what the benefit of the retreat was for county residents, Lacefield asked: “Are you really asking me that question?”
Lacefield added that the retreat was an invaluable chance for county leaders to spend time together focusing on Leggett’s broader goals for the county without the constant distractions of their day jobs.
“In a budget of $4.4 billion, investing $25,000 in something that’s meant to train and improve the productivity of senior management is money well spent,” Lacefield said.
He added that the Indiggo consultants were professionals who were trained to run effective retreats.
Leggett and senior staff had a follow-up retreat this summer, Lacefield said. He said the county paid Indiggo $5,000 for the one-day event.
Earlier this year the county had to close a more than $550 million budget gap, and it is considering furloughs of county employees in response to state cuts in local aid.
