Annapolis (September 24, 2008) - County Executive John R. Leopold announced today that he will implement a third hiring freeze, effective October 1, to prepare for next year’s budget. County Executive Leopold has already set stricter rules on travel and views furloughs as a last resort. Meanwhile, revenue from transfer and recordation taxes dropped from about $10 million last August to $5 million this August. "This administration from the beginning has taken proactive steps to decrease spending by reducing the number of take-home vehicles, cutting energy usage and renegotiating employee heath plans," County Executive Leopold said. "The two prior hiring freezes have saved County taxpayers over $5 million." The hiring freeze does not apply to public safety positions. "These are austere times and it's going to take some tough medicine to weather a struggling economy and cuts to local government," County Executive Leopold said. "We must take every step available to find savings where we can." | 
