Alachua keeps four-day week

Alachua to continue four-day work week

It came with a unanimous approval Monday as commissioners gave the go ahead to keep official City hours Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.  The move came as Deputy City Clerk Alan Henderson delivered a report to the commission that the four-day work week instituted last year has resulted in a measurable savings.

Last year, commissioners voted 4-1 to move the city from a standard Monday through Friday work week to a four-day schedule in an effort to save money.

With about three-quarters of the year under the new schedule, Henderson said the City had saved nearly $18,000 in utility costs alone.  Also saved was an estimated 1,188 gallons of fuel.

Although he originally opposed the four-day work week, Vice-Mayor Ben Boukari, Jr. went along Monday with a motion from Commissioner Robert Wilford to continue the hours.

“I was somebody who voted against this last year and have not heard much citizen complaints about the hours,” Boukari said.  “I am aware of those, who have been in contact through utilities and other places, that have seen a benefit to our citizens and residents with the times being later and earlier to be able to serve our citizens.”

Though he was in favor of continuing the four-day work week, Boukari said he wanted a review of savings to continue each year.

Commissioner Gary Hardacre said, in his observations, the extra day off didn’t result in unattended emergencies.

“I haven’t had any citizens comment in the negative on this…From what I’ve seen, emergencies coming up in the off days are still being taken care of,” he said.

Commissioners voted 5-0 to continue the four-day work week with a review of savings to be delivered again in August 2012.