Early birds got their way with city hall.
As of the first of the year, Auburn Memorial City Hall will open its doors - and let its workers go home - an hour earlier.
Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 2, residents will be able to take care of business from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
City employees who have the most contact with the public have asked what people would want in terms of scheduling, an hour in the morning or evening.
The results were 2 to 1, the public wants the hour in the morning rather than evening.
The city has been operating on the earlier schedule during summer months, but city offices have been open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the year.
“Builders hit the day early, so if they can get in earlier the better,” city manager Mark Palesh said.
Mayor Timothy Lattimore agreed to the change, but said it would work only if employees were flexible with people - for example, if someone couldn't meet the code enforcement until 4:30 p.m.
Councilor William Graney asked why the council was rushing the vote. He wanted to wait until the new members of council came aboard. City officials will swear in Mayor-elect Michael Quill and councilor-elect Gilda Brower in a ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008.
During the Thursday, Dec. 13 meeting, councilors Thomas McNabb and Graney voted against the measure. Smith, Dempsey and Lattimore were in favor.
This isn't the first time the council faced this change.
The same council previously decided against maintaining “summer hours” throughout the year. In May, council elected to adopt the schedule from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and asked workers to note how many people come early in the morning as opposed to in the evening.
In August, the council rejected keeping that schedule throughout the year.
However, Palesh said employees started noting when people came in only after the time changed. When city hall's hours changed back to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., he requested workers ask people who came to the building.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 2, residents will be able to take care of business from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
City employees who have the most contact with the public have asked what people would want in terms of scheduling, an hour in the morning or evening.
The results were 2 to 1, the public wants the hour in the morning rather than evening.
The city has been operating on the earlier schedule during summer months, but city offices have been open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the year.
“Builders hit the day early, so if they can get in earlier the better,” city manager Mark Palesh said.
Mayor Timothy Lattimore agreed to the change, but said it would work only if employees were flexible with people - for example, if someone couldn't meet the code enforcement until 4:30 p.m.
Councilor William Graney asked why the council was rushing the vote. He wanted to wait until the new members of council came aboard. City officials will swear in Mayor-elect Michael Quill and councilor-elect Gilda Brower in a ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008.
During the Thursday, Dec. 13 meeting, councilors Thomas McNabb and Graney voted against the measure. Smith, Dempsey and Lattimore were in favor.
This isn't the first time the council faced this change.
The same council previously decided against maintaining “summer hours” throughout the year. In May, council elected to adopt the schedule from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and asked workers to note how many people come early in the morning as opposed to in the evening.
In August, the council rejected keeping that schedule throughout the year.
However, Palesh said employees started noting when people came in only after the time changed. When city hall's hours changed back to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., he requested workers ask people who came to the building.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
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