ROCKVILLE, Md. - Big budget cuts are coming to Montgomery County (web | news) . The problem is no one knows exactly which jobs and programs will be eliminated.

With a budget gap of nearly $240 million more than expected, Montgomery County is facing tough choices.

"I wish there was a magic bullet but I don't think there is one," said Laytonsville Resident Dan Shea.

A deep drop in income and property tax revenues is to blame for the forecasted fiscal year 2011 budget gap. Newly elected county council President Nancy Floreen started her term Tuesday, making this ominous statement: "Everything is on the table."

Council members said they must once again prioritize needs and try to inflict as little harm as possible. Furloughs county-wide would save about 10 million a day.

"As long as we have our jobs and our benefits I mean, we just have to do what we have to do because there's no other jobs out there right now," said Montgomery County employee Simone Morrison.

The county executive has said layoffs are also an option for the budget year beginning July 1, as are service cuts.

Montgomery County employee Janie Williams said, "It may take a little from each one of them and hopefully, we come up with one good solution. Just a little from each one."

The council learned Tuesday of a more immediate $32 million budget deficit for this fiscal year. People in the county said certain departments should remain untouchable.

"Not the police or the firemen, that's public safety," said Montgomery County employee Robin Brown. "You don't want to cut that."

Billy Becker, an Olney resident, said, "It's hard to cut social services, it's hard to cut education, it's hard to cut fire and rescue."

The county executive is holding five public hearings in January to hear from residents about the budget crisis. You can get details below:

 

Monday, January 11, 2010 - 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Upcounty Regional Services Center
12900 Middlebrook Road, Meeting Room A, Germantown

Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Eastern Montgomery County Regional Services Center
3300 Briggs Chaney Road, Silver Spring

Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Leisure World Clubhouse One Ballroom
3700 Rossmoor Blvd., Silver Spring

Thursday, January 21, 2010 - 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Long Branch Community Center
8700 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring

Monday, January 25, 2010 - 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center
4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda

 

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