By Jane Huh, Post-Tribune staff writer
County highway departments are revving up this summer to reap fuel costs savings.
Department heads of Lake, LaPorte and Porter counties have been exploring ways to cut down on the soaring cost of fuel.
Beginning Monday, the Porter County highway department will adjust its work hours similar to LaPorte County's schedule.
Beginning Monday, the Porter County highway department will adjust its work hours similar to LaPorte County's schedule.
"Everybody's trying to find a solution to stretch the dollar as far as we can," said Al Hoagland, Porter County highway supervisor.
LaPorte County is in its second year of shifting the work schedule from five days a week to four days. Employees work 10 hours a day instead of eight hours.
The department's schedule change is seasonal. It switches schedules going by daylight saving time.
This fall, employees will return to the regular five-day, eight-hour schedule, Rick McVay, LaPorte County highway department engineer, said.
Last year the department made "significant savings" from the adjusted hours, McVay said.
LaPorte County Highway Department Supervisor Robert Young was not available on Monday to provide figures. However, the county has saved thousands of dollars.
The Porter County Highway Department is hopeful that the Monday-through-Thursday work week will bring considerable savings.
"We hope," said Hoagland. "But until we try it, it's hard to put a number on it."
Officials believe the four-day week with two added hours each day will help productivity.
David James, Porter County assistant highway supervisor, said the new hours would allow its 42 employees to "get a lot more accomplished and (cause) less gas idling."
On Friday, the off day, an employee will be on call.
McVay said he can see more highway departments moving in the same direction.
The Lake County Highway Department is waiting for the county commissioners to give their final approval, said Marcus Malczewski, department supervisor.
If the commissioners approve it, Malczewski wants to start the new work week Monday.
"We're seriously looking at it on a trial basis that'll continue through the summer," he said.