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Montgomery County Council members have unanimously agreed to give up their scheduled cost-of-living pay increase that would have taken effect in December.

Each council member was scheduled to get about $311 more annually — about $2,800 for the year for all nine council members. Council pay raises are decided by the previous council, so the 2010 raise was voted on in 2005.

Currently, council members make $94,040 annually, and the council president makes 10 percent more each year — $103,444.

Council President Philip M. Andrews (D-Dist. 3) of Gaithersburg said Monday that the council decided to give up scheduled pay raises as a sign of "solidarity" with county employees, who did not receive cost-of-living raises this year.

Andrews has said it is unlikely that county employees will receive pay increases in their new contracts, which begin in fiscal 2011. "We should not ask more of our employees than we ask of ourselves," he said.

Council to vote Tuesday

on next president

Tuesday's Montgomery County Council meeting was Andrews' last as president of the council.

The council will vote on its new president during its public business meeting Tuesday. The president's term lasts one year.

The council also will elect a new vice president at that time.

Typically, the council vice president has been elected president, meaning that Council Vice President Roger Berliner (D-Dist. 1) of Potomac is in line to succeed Andrews.

However, there has been some speculation that council members will buck tradition and choose Councilwoman Nancy M. Floreen (D-At large) of Garrett Park for the role.

Floreen has not commented on whether she would like the title, and Berliner has said he does not know why his fellow council members would oppose him as president.

Inspector general can request outside legal representation

The Montgomery County Council voted Nov. 17 to allow the county's inspector general to request independent legal representation to help him investigate fraud, waste and abuse by county government.

The bill, sponsored by Councilwoman Valerie Ervin (D-Dist. 5) of Silver Spring, was approved 8-1 with Councilman Marc Elrich (D-At large) of Takoma Park opposed.

The purpose of the legislation is to prevent potential conflicts of interest in investigations involving county departments and agencies by allowing the inspector general to request independent legal counsel, according to a press release.

In 1997, the County Council passed legislation to create the Inspector General's Office to serve as a watchdog to detect and prevent fraud, waste and abuse in county government. 

The office takes on sensitive and sometimes controversial issues related to various county departments and county-funded agencies.  For example, the office currently is investigating whether an assistant fire chief received special treatment by police officers when he was stopped for allegedly driving under the influence.

The bill has no fiscal impact on the county.

The bill was co-sponsored by Andrews and council members Floreen, Michael J. Knapp (D-Dist. 2) of Germantown, Nancy Navarro (D-Dist. 4) of Silver Spring and Duchy Trachtenberg (D-At large) of North Bethesda.

Free legal consultations available

The Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center and the Montgomery County Bar Foundation Pro Bono Program will offer free legal consultations for low-income community residents on Thursdays, Dec. 3 and 10, from 6 to 9 p.m., at 3300 Briggs Chaney Road in Silver Spring.

For details, call the program Monday through Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 301-424-7651 or 301-424-7633. For directions to the center, call 240-777-8400.