(Columbus) The Columbus City Council approved new hours for City Hall at a recent regular meeting. The new hours will be 8am to 4:30pm Monday through Thursday and 8am to noon on Fridays.
On July 5th, the hours for City Hall on Fridays were reduced with the building closing its doors to the public at noon. The Department of Public Works and Utility offices will also close at noon on Fridays. City Administrator Matt Amundson says that after the last council meeting, staff gave him many reasons as to why it is a good fit.
“In reality they’re willing to stay later for anyone who can’t make it here, and I think have demonstrated in the past the willingness to do that,” says Amundson.
Staff were allowed to flex their hours and schedule to maintain a 40-hour work week. Some staff chose to continue working on Friday afternoons while others chose to use their leave hours to maintain their 40-hours per week. Alderwoman Trina Reid is in favor of the idea but wondered if there could be staff availability until 5:30pm once a week.
“Whether the office is open or if it [is] just phone lines someone can contact,” Reid says. “Just so that we have something available outside of the 9 to 5 traditional work hour for people that are looking to get ahold of someone.”
The change of hours was passed unanimously.
