Yakima County studies four-day work week

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Closing most administrative offices at the Yakima County Courthouse one day each week is on the table as county commissioners try to close a budget gap that keeps widening in a down economy.

The idea is to have the county planning, auditor and other offices open nine hours each day, four days a week, instead of eight hours each day, five days a week. The switch would amount to a 10 percent cut in hours for some county staff.

Some county departments like the Sheriff's Office, the Department of Corrections and the courts would not be affected. And the county would have to get approval from unions representing county employees in affected departments about a change or reduction in hours.

Nonunion employees, including department heads and managers, also would see their hours reduced.

Yakima County, with 1,000 people on its payroll, isn't alone. Cutting hours is under review in a number of counties around the state.

Commissioner Kevin Bouchey said the idea is being seriously considered as a way to reduce the layoffs that are all but a certainty with a $3 million shortfall in the 2010 budget.

With a $53-million general fund budget, the county is getting hit by falling sales tax revenues, property tax revenues and investment interest earnings, which together are expected to decline by $1 million below what they were in 2008. Meanwhile, wages and health insurance premiums are going up.

Though commissioners used $1 million in reserves to balance this year's budget, they do not expect to use any reserves in 2010.

Commissioner Mike Leita said commissioners are trying to find actual savings in county services and programs.

"We aren't making decisions based on symbolism. We have to have meaningful benefit to county operations as it relates to county customers, the courts, licensing and the different administrative functions," he said.

Leita conceded a one-day closure every week may not be possible for some departments, like the road crews.

A telephone message left with the local office of the Washington State Council of County and City Employees was not returned Monday.

Harold Delia, administrative consultant to Superior and District courts, said the courts must remain open daily. State law requires the courts to be open five days a week. But Delia said it may be possible to have half the court staff work every Friday or Monday to help the county save money.

Treasurer Ilene Thomson, whose office effectively operates as the county's bank, said she could lose more than two positions if work hours are not reduced.

Michelle Nelson, spokeswoman for the Washington State Association of Counties, said the association hasn't done a survey to determine how many counties are looking at cutting hours to deal with budget shortfalls next year.

Snohomish County has laid off more than half its planning staff and no longer has a receptionist to assist residents coming in with building plans.

And the notion of closing government offices one day a week isn't a rarity anymore. The city of Sunnyside has shuttered its City Hall offices on Fridays for several years.

"I think staff furloughs and adjusting courthouse and program hours are two of the top ways counties are dealing with budget issues," Nelson said.

* David Lester can be reached at 509-577-7674 or dlester@yakimaherald.com.