Action will save $2 million Annapolis (August 28, 2009)-County Executive John R. Leopold today announced the fourth hiring freeze of his term in a continued effort to avoid layoffs and furloughs of employees. The freeze will save $2 million for the balance of this Fiscal Year. "One of my first actions as County Executive was to institute a hiring freeze in anticipation of difficult budget times," County Executive Leopold said. "As expected, revenues fell and cuts from the State followed. This latest freeze will generate a cumulative savings of $10 million. While it will not cover the $14.8 million reduction announced by the Governor last week, it continues our ongoing effort to reduce spending everywhere we can." The previous three freezes were in effect from December 2006 until June 2007, from January 2008 to June 2008 and from October 2008 to June 2009. Several additional initiatives aimed at personnel costs included the elimination of 107 vacant positions in the current budget and the renegotiation of employee health care contracts to save $15 million over three years. If slot machines are authorized at Arundel Mills, the County stands to gain $30 million annually in new revenue. "While we continue to find ways to save taxpayer dollars, it is clear that a new revenue source is needed to pay for services," County Executive Leopold said. "I will keep my commitment to not raise taxes on property or income, and that is why there are 30 million reasons to be patient as the County Council considers the zoning legislation for slot machines." | 
