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Commissioners on Tuesday night created a task force of county employees to examine the shortened-work-week concept, which they said has saved substantial dollars when implemented in other municipalities.
County leaders — who said they’ve already made “aggressive cuts” to reduce the 2009 shortfall from $1.5 million — will begin debating next week whether to increase property taxes to make up the remaining deficit. A 4.5-percent county levy increase would cover the shortfall, according to a summary that County Finance Director Pat Moga gave to commissioners Tuesday night. That proposal came as part of a draft budget of $45.7 million, which would be cut $1.87 million from 2008.
Shortening the work week for county employees might save costs and make some county services available during the evening hours, said board chairman Dwayne Voegeli. He said the task force will research that possibility n along with other cost-saving measures — and report back to commissioners.
Voegeli noted the four-day-week concept has worked elsewhere, such as in the state of Utah, which made the change earlier this year.
Commissioners are expected to examine the budget in greater depth at next Tuesday’s meeting.
The board must set a maximum levy increase by September, though they can decide to levy less than that when they approve the final budget in December.
