County Moves Closer To A Four-Day Workweek

By Tammy Gray-Searles
   Navajo County is prepared to shift to a four-day schedule that could change office hours to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, if approved by the Board of Supervisors.
   A bill allowing counties to change operating hours in order to save money received final approval from the state legislature on Monday and as of press time was awaiting the governor’s signature. According to County Manager Jimmy Jayne, it is anticipated that the governor will sign the bill without any objections. A spokesman for State Representative Andrew Tobin, who sponsored the bill, noted that as an emergency measure the bill would take effect immediately upon the governor’s signature.
   Changes at Navajo County will not take effect quite so quickly, as the proposal to shift to four-day workweeks is scheduled to be presented to the board members at their regular July 14 meeting.
   Assistant County Manager Dusty Parsons explained that shortened workweeks are expected to save the county approximately $90,000. He noted that the savings is almost entirely in utility costs, since county offices will still be required to be open at least 40 hours per week.
   Parsons noted that county administrators are likely to request that the board implement the changes on a trial basis for six months. Actual cost savings and level of service to the public will be among the factors considered at the end of the six-month trial.
   According to Parsons, the courts and the sheriff’s office will not be shifting to four-day business weeks unless presiding Superior Court Judge Michaela Ruechel can work out an arrangement with the Arizona Supreme Court. Parsons explained that the courts operate under different guidelines than other county offices and cannot necessarily shut down one day a week without additional approval.
   “The presiding judge is working on it to see what can be done,” Parsons remarked.
   The bill passed by the legislature includes the same requirement as current state law that the sheriff’s office provide 24-hour law enforcement services seven days a week.
   “The sheriff and the courts probably won’t go on a different schedule,” Parsons said.
   He noted that board approval would be required before any changes are made to the workweek.
   According to Parsons, if the proposal is approved, the county complex would be completely shut down on Fridays, with the probable exception of courts and the sheriff’s office.
   The bill also allows the county the option to use public funds to pay for certain benefits, such as health insurance, for retirees, as long as those funds don’t come from the state. Another provision in the bill would allow the county to replace the Columbus Day holiday with a holiday the day after Thanksgiving commonly known as “Black Friday.”
   The board meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14, at the county complex.