City Offices to Close on Fridays; Employees, Police Get Less Pay

City offices will be closed Fridays, effective July 1, under the 2011-12 budget adopted by City Council at its meeting Tuesday night. The new budget results in a 10 percent salary cut for city employees, accomplished by cutting their work week from 40 hours to 36 hours.

Police officers also agreed to a 10 percent wage cut to reduce the city's deficit; however, they will still work the same shifts.

Beginning July 1, hours will be from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and employees will have a 30-minute lunch break. Current office hours are from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday with a one-hour lunch break for employees.

"We don't get a lot of people here (City Hall) on Fridays," City Manager Mark Pollock said after the council's meeting Tuesday.

City employees also will pay up to $1,000 in health care deductibles when the new budget takes effect.

Pollock said the adopted budget will reduce the city's deficit from $670,000 to about $198,000, which city officials plan to cover with the fund balance reserve.

Cuts to City Services

The changes also affect city services, Pollock said. The will no longer be open on Fridays, but Director Kathy Leenhouts has agreed to deliver lunch to seniors in the Meals on Wheels program on Fridays. Pollock said it has not been determined whether students will be able to attend the Teen Center on Fridays. The will remain open for groups that rent it for activities.

The Department of Public Works will also operate Monday-Thursday. Pollock said the city will address a plan for leaf pickup later this year, and DPW employees will still complete snow removal as needed.

"We feel like we can still deliver all the services we have, we just won't be open on Fridays," Pollock said.

While the council voted to adopt the budget, Mayor Penny Luebs said she is against closing City Hall on Fridays.

"I look at it as a service taxpayers pay for," Luebs said.

Pollock said the new budget will also help the city save on utility costs since offices won't be open Fridays. And with reduced hours, pay cuts and health care concessions, the city was able to avoid layoffs this year.

"It was a very difficult budget process," Pollock said.