CAMP VERDE - If you have business with the Town of Camp Verde, if you want to use the library, get a building permit or file papers at the clerk's office, don't wait until Friday.
The Camp Verde Town Council voted unanimously Wednesday to go to a four-day workweek effective Jan 1, 2010.
The move is estimated to save the Town $8,000 in energy costs.
The library will now be open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. All other town offices will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
The changes will not apply to essential public safety personnel such as uniformed Marshal's Office deputies and dispatchers.
According to Town Manager Mike Scannell, the cost savings are not the primary reason for making the changes.
"The cost savings are relatively insignificant. In fact it may be more symbolic than anything. I believe we will actually be able to provide a higher level of service to the community," Scannell says.
He cites the fact that on most mornings, there are people waiting around for Town offices to open and by extending hours four days a week to 6 p.m. they will serve individuals after work.
"The experience of other municipalities has been that service tends to be a little more accessible," Scannell says. "There is also reduced overtime, reduced sick leave and compensatory time off."
Scannell says that along with the changes in service hours, he will also be considering other cost savings measures including work force wide furloughs for Town employees in the year ahead.
"I am looking at possible furloughs for Town employees to take place shortly after the first of the year. I don't see any way around it.
"I think the sooner the cuts are made the less deep they will have to be. If we wait until next fiscal year, the reductions in employee wages will have to be more than they would be if we get started now," Scannell says.
