MontCo Owes Residents $2.5M in Energy Tax Credits

By: Rachel Baye Examiner Staff Writer 08/13/11 8:05 PM

A property tax credit program designed to reward Montgomery County residents for using renewable energy-based heating and cooling systems has a $2.5 million backlog of payments owed to residents, according to Joe Beach, director of the county's Department of Finance.

On June 30, the end of fiscal 2011, 501 people were on a waiting list to receive tax credit payouts from the county. Some of them might have to wait as long as six years for a payment, Beach said, since the county hasn't allocated enough money to pay before then. So far, 276 credits have been issued in the program's three years of operation.

and:

Though county officials said they regret not being able to pay residents, they also said it's unlikely that they can change that anytime soon.

"We're not sitting on lots of spare cash," said County Councilman George Leventhal, D-at large. "It's really unfortunate. This is a really good program."

Enacted in 2008, the program has an annual cap of $400,000 for renewable energy devices. One way to reduce the waiting list is to raise the cap, said Beach, whether temporarily or long term. But raising the limit means the cash-strapped county has to find more funds for the program.

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/news/business/2011/08/montco-owes-residents-25m-energy-tax-credits#disqus_thread#ixzz1Uxu2pp44

Them That's Got: Leggett Crony Update

Thanks again to Washington Examiner report Brian Hughes for keeping us up to date on the latest example of how our tax dollars are spent.

Leggett appointee maintains active legal firm

Subin picks up six-figure paycheck from MontCo

A political ally of Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett found the time to handle nearly 90 cases for his private law firm while collecting almost $160,000 annually in salary and benefits to head a commission that formally meets four times a year, records show.

Although Leggett's office is spending $158,464 on former County Councilman Michael Subin's compensation, which Leggett said reflects a heavy workload, the Rockville lawyer maintained a steady stream of legal cases since being appointed to the county post four years ago. As director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Commission, Subin is tasked with "coordinating communication" among law enforcement agencies.


But now Leggett is recommending a full-time job for Subin ?-- and roughly $195,000 in total compensation -- raising questions from some officials about how Subin can maintain a law firm while potentially collecting an even more lucrative salary.

And:

"It would be better if the county executive would show some leadership by spelling out a vision for what he wants this commission to accomplish and then assign the job to someone within his branch to carry it out," said Councilman Hans Riemer, D-at large. "I don't see a compelling argument."

A council panel, including Council President Valerie Ervin, signed off on expanding Subin's role to include zoning and planning hearings. However, approval from the full council remains in question.

"Rather than applaud us for saving money, there's people with an ax to grind with him," Leggett said.

Read the full story at the Washington Examiner here.

Them That's Got: Leggett Crony Update

Examiner Reporter Hayley Peterson has an update on the story on Ike Leggett crony Mike Subin’s salary. We posted here about Leggett’s reward to crony Mike Subin, paying him $160,000 to chair a committee that meets four times per year. In his budget, County Executive Ike Leggett plans to give Mr. Subin a raise. The raise, to $195,000, would be 23%. What’s in your wallet?


Excerpt:

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett is offering a former County Council member $37,200 on top of his current $158,464 compensation to help run hearings in addition to directing a criminal justice commission that meets four times a year.

Leggett proposed the bump for Rockville lawyer Michael Subin at the same time council members were questioning his current taxpayer-funded salary, which adds up to $158,464 with benefits. Subin sat on the County Council with Leggett 25 years ago and is a longtime political ally.

The 23 percent increase in Subin's compensation to $195,664 is included in Leggett's budget proposal for fiscal 2012, which would close a $300 million budget gap by firing 140 county employees, freezing salaries, and increasing taxes and fees, among other measures.

 and:

To earn the raise, Subin would continue as director of the commission and also help run the county's zoning and planning hearings -- bumping him up to a full-time employee, according to Lacefield.



"To build a new road or sidewalk or whatever, we have to hold hearings," Lacefield said. "And we need more help to do it -- particularly on [new] sidewalks."


In addition to holding hearings, Subin would be charged with deciding whether to recommend or scrap the sidewalk proposals.

Read more at the Washington Examiner, here.

Them That's Got: Leggett is Riding in Style

Here is more news on where your money goes.  Again, our thanks to The Washington Examiner for covering our county.  Our thanks to reporter Freeman Kloppott for this latest news on how your money gets spent by the people you elected to watch over the funds.

Pricey Rides for Region's Top Officials

The region's top elected officials continue to ride around in pricey sport utility vehicles despite tight budgets and a gloomy economic outlook.

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett has not one, but two SUVs. There's the $47,698 Chevrolet Suburban driven by a part-time security guard that Leggett uses for official county business, and there's also the $38,665 Jeep Cherokee Leggett uses when he drives himself.

and:

Montgomery County officials are working to fix a $300 million shortfall and at least one county councilman may want Leggett to get rid of a ride.

"The council should review the executive's vehicle situation to determine if it should be scaled back during these difficult times," said Phil Andrews, D-Gaithersburg. "We have a budget coming over soon, and we'll be looking at a wide range of cuts and this is one of them."


Leggett spokesman Patrick Lacefield said the county executive has one vehicle, the Jeep, and the other belongs to "county security." He has the Jeep "for times when he does not need security and drives himself. It is easier and more cost effective for him not to pull [security members] off their duties," Lacefield said.

To read the rest of the story, go to the Examiner here.