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Montgomery County government employees could see at least two days of unpaid leave as part of plan by County Executive Isiah Leggett to find $8 million savings this year and prepare for a tighter budget next year.

Leggett (D) included the furlough option in a memo to County Council President Michael J. Knapp on Thursday. In passing the current fiscal budget, which ends June 30, the County Council required county government and the school system to each cut $8 million from their budgets to balance the county's financial books and close a $297 million budget gap.

The two-day furlough included in the plan would generate $5.9 million, and along with savings from an employee early buyout program and capping raises for senior management, would equal $8.6 million in savings for the current fiscal year.

But with the state facing a potential $1 billion deficit in fiscal 2010 and the county facing a $250 million deficit, Leggett warned, "We will be facing the need for additional cuts during this fiscal year."

To better handle the gaps, more furlough days may be needed, Leggett said in the memo, a decision he would like to make after more financial data is available in October. In addition to the initial $8 million savings plan, the county executive will send the council a more comprehensive savings plan in two months.

Next week Leggett is expected to release details of an alternative work schedule for county employees to increase potential savings.