Moco executive proposes $12.9M in cuts

Montgomery County executive Isiah Leggett (D) has proposed cutting ambulance service and laying off dozens of fire and rescue workers as part of bid to save $12.9 million in case a referendum on a county ambulance fee passes in November. In a letter to the county council, Leggett said the ballot question “will likely succeed,” and outlined steps he said should be taken immediately to find the money to make up for losing the fee. Volunteers firefighters, who have opposed the ambulance fee, would see a cut of more than $1 million. Leggett administration officials said they don’t like the cuts, but that they are required by the circumstances. Council member Phil Andrews (D-Gaithersburg-Rockville), and ambulance fee opponent, said the list is a “political document” meant to influence the vote. Andrews said there are other ways to make cuts that would cause less pain, citing millions of dollars in costs associated with additional comp time given county workers earlier this year. SOURCE: Washington Post