Leopold Announces Hiring Freeze In Anne Arundel Co.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold announced that he will execute his fifth countywide hiring freeze on Jan 1.

"Despite these difficult fiscal times this administration has been able to weather the storm with prudent cost-cutting actions to avoid extensive reductions in service or layoffs," Leopold said. "These actions include eliminating take-home vehicles, cutting travel expenses, enacting hiring and purchasing freezes and reducing employee compensation. Many of our county employees have taken on additional responsibilities while still providing excellent service to the public."

Each hiring freeze saves between $2 million and $2.5 million, depending upon the number of vacancies and the duration of the freeze.

David Abrams, a spokesman for Leopold, says the hiring freeze will likely continue until the end of the fiscal year in June.

Hiring has been frozen for the following periods over the last four years:

-12/12/06 to 6/30/07

- 1/2/08 to 6/30/08

- 10/1/08 to 7/1/09

- 8/28/09 to 6/30/10