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Port Richey Going To 4-Day Work Week

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By KLINT LOWRY | The Suncoast News

Published: September 3, 2008

PORT RICHEY - On Wednesday City Council decided the trend within the public and private sectors toward a four-day work week was worth a try for the city's coming fiscal year.

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

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

In theory, there are several benefits to a four-day work week. 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. They save money on gas by commuting one less day, not to mention cutting down on the effects of traffic on city streets.

At the same time, a wider range of operating hours is thought to be a convenience for residents, particularly those who work regular business hours. Expanding the opening and closing time at City Hall gives them a chance to come in and take care of business on their way to or from work.

The four-day work week has been gaining converts in recent years. The state of Utah, for example, switched to a four-day government work week 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 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 95 percent preferred the new schedule.

Coconut Creek operates on a 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday schedule, Reade noted. 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 prior to the vote on the four-day-week proposal. Since some Port Richey residents commute to jobs in Tampa and St. Petersburg, he probably isn't alone in not liking the 4 p.m. closing, Bean said.

Details haven't 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 come and pay their utility bills on payday, they said.

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

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 would be exempted.. Contingencies would have to be set into place for public works and utilities workers, possibly staggered shifts so the departments are still open five days.

Mayor Richard Rober said city employees 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 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 or if there are some concerns. We've talked about it; there will be some evaluation at some point."

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