Four-Day Week Proposed

By Corey Preston, CoreyPreston@miconews.com

Thinking outside the box, trying to save both the county and its employees money as energy costs soar, the Linn County Communications Council proposed Monday that the county commission consider switching to a four-day, 10-hour per day work week in county offices.

The proposal, made by motor vehicle office employee Janet Kerr, could save the county money on energy costs by reducing the need for all-day heating or air conditioning once per week at the courthouse, Kerr said.

It would also save gas money for employees — 24 of 34 employees in the courthouse and county attorney’s office come from outside of Mound City, she noted — and could make county offices more accessible for residents by expanding hours to after traditional work times during the four-day week.

Commission Chairman Jason Sabine said he had looked at information, provided by Kerr, that pointed to an average 20 percent savings for municipalities that have shifted to a four-day schedule.

However, noxious weeds director John Maloney said it would be difficult for him to conform to a four-day schedule and added that he didn’t think residents, particularly new residents to the area, would be amenable to the switch.

“There’s growth in this county, and these people moving here, they expect a five-day work week,” Maloney said.

Sabine said the commission would consider the proposal but would need to get input from all county departments before making a decision.

Kerr said she wasn’t looking for any action at this point, but suggested the commission initially look at making the change on a trial basis.

In other business Monday, the commission:

Was informed that the county has been declared eligible for a $204,910 community development block grant that would be used to build a new fire station in Prescott. The county had initially been turned down for the grant earlier this year.

Fire Chief Doug Barlet told the commission he wasn’t sure if accepting the grant, which would require a full match from the county, was the most cost-effective way to upgrade Prescott’s fire station. He suggested the county might be able to upgrade the current facility for less than it would cost to match the grant.

“We need to really look at, is it better to spend $120,000 ... or to spend $200,000 to match the grant?” Barlet said. “It could be more cost effective for us (to pass on the grant).”

Was informed by 911 Coordinator Larry Robinson that the Kansas Department of Transportation is offering to donate a temporary bridge, most recently used at the county fairgrounds, that could potentially be used to build a permanent bridge on Vail Road.

The bridge would need to be inspected by an engineer, Robinson said, but if it is deemed sound, it could be used as the superstructure for a new, permanent bridge. Using the temporary bridge could save the county between $200,000 and $250,000, Robinson estimated.

Residents living near Vail Road, which is located just west of the existing U.S. Highway 69, have requested a new bridge to connect the road for when the new U.S. 69 is completed and access is limited.

Agreed to put a moratorium on all pay raises for county employees until a new pay scale system is in place. Commissioner Mike Page noted that, with the moratorium in place, the onus is on the commission to begin work quickly on establishing the new pay scales.

Received an update from Bill Van Kirk of the 6th Judicial District Community Corrections. Kirk informed the commission that the district is putting an emphasis on prevention in its juvenile rehabilitation programs, providing outreach at schools, as well as working on improving employment preparation and education for adult offenders who struggle being reentered into society.

Approved the hiring of James Folsom to be a driver for the solid waste department at a rate of $10.50 per hour.