PEORIA, Ariz. (March 29, 2010) – Peoria is
hosting two open house meetings to answer residents’ questions about a
proposal to alter the city’s business hours: the first will be on Thursday, April 8, from 6 p.m.
to 8 p.m. in the City Hall Pine Room; the second will be on Tuesday, April 13, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Sunrise Mountain Branch Library. Staff will be available both nights to address any
concerns residents might have about the proposal.
In a citizen-satisfaction survey conducted in
December, 86 percent of respondents liked the idea of Peoria closing City Hall
on Fridays but extending its hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday
– a concept known as “4/10s” because some city offices would be open four
10-hour days instead of five eight-hour days.
The expanded Monday-through-Thursday hours would
enable residents to conduct business with the city in the early morning or early
evening, outside of their own work hours. The city, in turn, would save on
energy costs by closing some buildings one day a week.
On the municipal campus, buildings that might
close on Fridays include City Hall, the Municipal Court, the Development and
Community Services Building, the City Hall annex and the Information Technology
Building. The Public Safety Administration Building and Main Library would
remain open, and city services that run seven days a week – such as recreation
programs, libraries, Rio Vista and community centers, public safety and
utilities – would not be affected.
City officials are developing a recommendation to
senior management and City Council. If the decision is made to implement the new
schedule, it would begin in the mid-to-late summer.
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