County leaders considering employees going to a four-day work week created a buzz in the Willis Van Devanter Grant County Office Complex on Wednesday, and even gained the county some regional media attention.
"I'm very surprised (at the attention), but I think that because nationally the gas prices are impacting everyone, it is something to be thought about," said Angela Banter, Grant County administrator.
Commissioners suggested Tuesday that some county employees work 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, or 32 hours a week, as opposed the current 35 hours a week at 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Commissioners asked Banter to look further into whether some buildings being closed on Fridays could save the county money in utilities.
Commissioner David Glickfield said under the preliminary idea, county employees may be able to make the same amount of money, even though they would be working three fewer hours. That makes up for the fact that employees sometimes haven't had raises in recent years, and helps compensate gas money getting to and from the central Marion offices.
In 2007, employees who worked at least five years for the county received a longevity raise at .0025 multiplied by their base pay and per year worked for the county. All county employees received a 3 percent raise in 2003 and a 4 percent raise in 2005, according to the Grant County Auditor's Office.
Banter said the buzz about it has somewhat slowed down the process of researching the idea, but she has welcomed the feedback. She said a lot of employees are supportive of the idea, but there are some that are saying it's not fair because some buildings may have to stay open all five days, including the Grant County Courthouse.
Auditor Mike Burton said he's against the idea of the shortened work week.
"The auditor's office is having more and more duties assigned to it through legislation, and with the four-day work week - though I think the employees will like it - it's going to be hard getting the work done," he said.
Burton added that there may be some people in the public upset, and he doesn't blame them because he said the county needs to be open and accessible to the public.
Mike Scott, County Council president, said he applauds the idea of looking creatively at saving the county money during times of high utility costs and an uncertain revenue future because of recent property tax legislation.
He said, however, that he hopes a study is done to count foot traffic into the complex to determine which days are the most busy.
"It's a benefit for (employees), but we also need to benefit the taxpayers first and foremost," Scott said.
He added that perhaps county leaders should consider being open past 5 p.m. on certain days, to accommodate people who work during the day.
Banter said Wells and LaPorte county officials have put their highway departments onto a four-day work week schedule. She said she will get information from those counties, as well as the National Association of Counties, about the idea, and she will compile utility cost data to see if the idea is feasible.
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