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Councilors disagree over City Hall’s Friday closure and resident access
Summary
Councilors debated a longstanding policy to close City Hall to in‑person public service on Fridays. Supporters said the closure improves staff productivity; critics called it poor taxpayer service and asked staff to revisit usage counts and public perception.
DuPont councilors debated whether City Hall should remain closed to the public on Fridays after staff said the policy was adopted based on a traffic study showing low Friday in‑person use.
"As a taxpayer, I don't like that," Council Member Shauna said, citing occasions when residents needed to do business in person on a Friday. Shauna urged the council to consider whether the closure still serves public access.
Finance Director Karma Oakesmith told the council that staff tracked foot traffic and phone calls and found Friday to be the least busy weekday; that practice allowed staff time for administrative projects. "That was the premise behind it," she said, noting council previously approved the schedule during COVID adjustments.
Several newer council members said they were not fully aware the city hall door was locked Fridays and recommended a fresh review. "If people have gotten used to it being closed, then you wouldn't necessarily have a way of tracking who would be ordinarily here," the facilitator observed.
Council asked staff to re‑examine the usage data and the public perception of Friday closures and to report back with options that could include limited in‑person hours, clearer public notice, or retaining closures with enhanced remote services.
No formal motion was made; the item was identified for follow‑up at a future leadership meeting.
