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Committee asks staff to develop options for modified hours and an extra holiday to aid retention
Summary
Committee members endorsed staff work to develop formal proposals for modified public‑access hours (examples: half‑day Fridays or occasional evening hours) and adding at least one paid holiday, citing employee retention and changing public access patterns.
The committee discussed workplace-hours and holiday-schedule changes intended to improve recruitment and retention of county employees. Administrator Leonard framed the discussion around workforce data showing high early turnover: more than half of separations were employees with fewer than five years of service, and 25 percent had less than one year.
Staff presented options for reforming public access hours without reducing full-time hours: (1) retain a 40-hour workweek but offer modified public access (for example, earlier weekday openings and half‑day Fridays); (2) pilot evening hours on county‑board meeting nights to accommodate residents who cannot visit during business hours; or (3) add a fixed additional holiday rather than a flexible floating holiday to ensure the public and employees can plan for an observed date. The administration noted many services are already available online 24/7 and that in‑person demand is often low on Friday afternoons.
Committee members generally supported asking staff to prepare a formal proposal for the next meeting that would include operational impacts, coverage expectations, and department exceptions. Vice Chair Marshall stated explicitly that any change should preserve a 40‑hour workweek for employees. Kim (staff who piloted evening appointments) said the evening appointments have been well received and recommended extending the program so residents can access services after traditional work hours.
No formal action was taken; staff will draft a detailed proposal, including departmental input and options for a fixed additional holiday, to return to the committee for consideration.
