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Eagle Pass council tables summer work-week pilot after questions about equity and operations
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Summary
Councilmembers asked for more department-level metrics and a rotation plan before deciding on a summer pilot that would give eligible administrative employees paid Fridays off; the item was tabled for further analysis.
The Eagle Pass City Council on April 7 tabled a proposal to run an eight-week summer pilot giving eligible administrative employees paid Fridays off in June and July and providing equivalent credited hours to operational staff who cannot participate.
City staff described the program as a limited-duration pilot intended to improve recruitment and retention, reduce utility and fuel costs, and encourage use of online services. The plan would give participating employees seven paid Fridays (two of which are observed holidays) and credit nonparticipating departments such as police and fire with equivalent hours they could later use.
Council members pressed staff for details about fairness and operational risk. Councilman Diaz (identified in the meeting roster) asked for per-department evaluation metrics to detect disparities and possible misuse and to track effects on service delivery. One department representative warned a skeleton crew could increase overtime and strain operations.
Councilmembers debated rotation options (alternating Fridays and Mondays to preserve service access), whether nonparticipating staff should be given hours or cashed out, and how the plan would apply to public-facing offices such as the tax office during peak payment periods. Staff said the pilot was reversible and that the city would measure workforce, service delivery and operational metrics during the trial.
After discussion and additional requests for information — including a rotation method and the metrics required by council to assess equity and operational impact — a motion to table the item and return with the requested analysis passed by voice vote.
Council did not approve the pilot at the meeting; staff were directed to bring the item back with a plan that addresses the concerns raised about equitable treatment across departments and measurable evaluation criteria.
