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Port Richey Switching To 4-Day Workweek

Tribune file photo by ANDY JONES (2007)

The change helps employees save money on gas and wear and tear on the city's streets.

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By KLINT LOWRY

The Suncoast News

Published: September 4, 2008

PORT RICHEY - City staff will go to a four-day workweek in the next fiscal year.

Last week, the city council decided the trend within the public and private sectors toward a four-day workweek is worth a try.

City Manager Richard Reade had staff looking into the four-day option as a cost-saving measure while they were drafting the city's budget for fiscal 2009, which begins Oct. 1.

Besides saving money, the question they explored was whether the overall benefits outweighed the risks. "We've had conversations with other cities and organizations," Reade said.

Benefits to a four-day workweek include: Employees work the same number of hours spread out over four days instead of five, which can cut operating and budget costs; it helps keep overtime and absenteeism in check; and employees save money on gas by commuting one less day, not to mention cutting down on the effects of traffic on city streets.

Also, the additional hours of operation each of the four days can be convenient for residents, particularly those who work regular business hours. Earlier openings and later closings at City Hall give them a chance to take care of city business on their way to or from work.

The four-day workweek has been gaining converts in recent years. The state of Utah, for example, switched to a four-day government workweek earlier this month and other states are considering it, while many city governments have already made the switch.

In particular, Reade said, staff took a close look at Coconut Creek, a community in Broward County that went to a four-day schedule on a trial basis in October 2005. A year later, the city conducted a survey and found that 86 percent of residents preferred a four-day schedule with expanded hours to a five-day schedule with shorter hours.

A survey of Coconut Creek employees showed that 95 percent preferred the new schedule.

Coconut Creek operates on a 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday schedule, Reade said. Port Richey City Hall operates on an 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday schedule.

"As a citizen of Port Richey, the 4 p.m. closing time was a problem for me," Councilman Perry Bean said during discussions before the vote on the four-day week proposal. Since some Port Richey residents commute to jobs in Tampa and St. Petersburg, he probably is not alone in not liking the 4 p.m. closing, Bean said.

Details have not been set yet, including the hours of operation. Friday might not be the best day to be closed, some council members suggested. Many residents like to pay their utility bills on payday, the officials said.

"When we get our new utility software, we'll be able to accept utility bill payments online," Reade said. That is in the works for the city Web site. Also, the drop box at City Hall will be maintained, officials said.

Most important is ensuring there is no drop-off in services, council members said.

Only employees who do not do shift work will be affected by the change in the work schedule. The police and fire departments will be exempted. Special arrangements will have to be established for public works and utilities workers, possibly staggered shifts so the departments still are open five days.

Mayor Richard Rober said city employees have been consulted, and the overwhelming reaction to the four-day-week proposal has been positive. He added, however, "I don't believe we specifically asked them, 'Will this improve morale?'

"

As for residents, Councilman Steven O'Neill said he is confident they will let their feelings be known as the new schedule takes hold.

"There is a feedback mechanism," O'Neill said. "We're trying something, and I'm sure folks out there will call ... if there are some concerns. We've talked about it; there will be some evaluation at some point."

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