New 4-Day Workweek to Save Less for County

Some Ventura County government offices will shift to a four-day workweek Monday, even though shutting down on Fridays will result in only a fraction of the $1 million savings initially expected.

The four-day workweek will cut about $125,000 out of the county’s budget for the fiscal year starting in July, county officials said.

The biggest chunk of the projected $1 million in savings was supposed to have come from eliminating the $710,000 cash bonuses handed out to county employees who form car pools, thus reducing pollution from cars.

But county officials say the program cannot be cut until the county comes up with other ways to meet state and federal air pollution reduction requirements. An alternate plan, they said, cannot be implemented until next summer at the earliest.

County officials said they hoped to pick up the additional savings by shutting down all county buildings on Fridays, relieving the county of about $370,000 in security and utility costs. County employees would continue to work 40-hour weeks by logging 10 hours daily, four days a week.

But only about a third of the county’s 6,500 employees will participate in the plan, shrinking the actual savings to about $125,000.

The county’s largest agencies, including the county health care agency, court system, Sheriff’s Department and social service agencies, will keep most of their employees on their current schedules.

Even in its much-reduced form, the four-day week could inconvenience county residents, who will no longer be able to get marriage licenses, apply for building permits or pay taxes on Fridays.

But the offices will have longer hours Mondays through Thursdays, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., giving residents an opportunity to conduct business either before or after work.

Although the county courthouse in Ventura will remain open on Fridays, the adjacent Hall of Administration will be closed. That building houses the offices of the assessor, treasurer, tax collector, personnel office, clerk and recorder and planning department.

Some county officials have criticized the shortened workweek as impractical, an impediment to business, and generally more trouble than it is worth.

“This is a big boondoggle, one of the worst policies the Board of Supervisors have ever passed,” said Supervisor John K. Flynn. “The savings is nothing and it’s going to cost business in Ventura County lots and lots of bucks.”

Flynn and Supervisor Maria VanderKolk opposed the plan when it was approved by the Board of Supervisors in March.

County Personnel Director Ron Komers, who proposed the four-day workweek, defended the program, saying it could save the county an additional $375,000 in unused sick days in the coming year.

Supervisor Maggie Kildee said that even if the savings from sick leave does not materialize, the four-day week is still a good idea. “At this point in time, any savings we can make is worthwhile,” Kildee said. “I also think this will be a significant factor in getting less drivers on the road in the morning hours.”

Part of the reason for implementing the four-day week plan is to help the county meet state and federal pollution reduction requirements. The county must show that it has made a concerted effort to reduce by a third by 1996 the number of people who drive alone to work. If the county does not meet requirements, it could lose up to $6 million a year in federal highway funds.

But the shortened workweek alone will not be enough to get the county into compliance with the pollution regulations.

The 1,800 county employees who participate in the county’s ride-sharing program account for most of the reduction in commuter trips the county has achieved so far. Participants receive bonuses of $175 to $250 a year for their efforts. Last year, the program paid out $300,000 in incentives.

County supervisors and administrators said they are hoping to eliminate that program next summer to save money, but first must devise an alternate plan.

Personnel director Komers has suggested removing the ride-sharing cash incentive and instead simply requiring employees to car-pool as a condition of employment.

Meanwhile, some business representatives criticized the four-day workweek as they geared up for the change.

George Kite, a real estate broker for Herrick Property Management in Ventura, called the new schedule “ridiculous.” After eight hours, county employees, he said, “are just going to sit around drinking coffee for the rest of the day.”

Kite, who said he conducts a third of his business with the county on Fridays, said the shorter week will hold up property sales by making it more difficult for people who want to register deeds or loans with the county recorder.

“Of course we’ll adjust,” Kite said. “But it just seems like a silly, fruitless maneuver.”

The Friday closing will also inconvenience Alan Forbess, an environmental assessor who visits the county’s public works agency at least once a week. “On a personal level, it’s going to be a real pain,” Forbess said. “I’m out here working five days a week and my clients expect me to produce.”

Other county residents seeking assistance at the government center were more accepting.

“If it’s going to save any money at all, I’m all for it,” said Sam Hishmeh of Ventura, who last week applied for a building permit to renovate his house. “What’s so great about Friday? I don’t see the problem with people conducting their business the other days of the week.”

Vincenzo Santiglia of Ojai, who was applying for a marriage license, said the closure would not be a problem. “I don’t come here very often,” he said. “And I always call first to check the hours.”

Ed Grove, a psychologist from Oxnard, said he approves of the longer hours for paying his property taxes. “It will be more convenient for me to come in the early morning or late evening.”

County employees gave the plan mixed reviews. Some employees with children complain that it will be difficult and costly to coordinate child care for the morning hours before school as well as after school. Others said they liked the plan because it gives them a three-day weekend.

“I’m a little worried about the long hours and it’s been hard to find day-care,” said Christina Valenzuela, a deputy clerk in the voter registration office who has two small children. “But I think once we get adjusted it will be OK.”

“I can’t wait,” said Jim Riedmiller, a survey technician with the public works agency. “My wife will be on the four-day a week schedule too, so it’s great for us.”

Sharon Wagemann, a management assistant with the planning division who started the four-day workweek a month ago, also praised the plan. “I love having the extra day,” she said. “I feel much better rested and I have more time to do things outside of work.”

New Four-Day Schedule

Beginning Monday, these Ventura County agencies will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and closed Fridays:

* The offices of the assessor, auditor-controller, Board of Supervisors, chief administrative officer, county counsel, elections, information services, General Services Agency, Local Agency Formation Commission, personnel, public administrator, Public Works Agency, recorder, Resource Management Agency, treasurer and tax collector. All are at the Hall of Administration, 800 Victoria Road, Ventura.

* Solid Waste Management, 5275 Colt St., Ventura.

* Agricultural Commission, 815 E. Santa Barbara St., Santa Paula.

* Fire Department headquarters, 395 Willis Ave., Camarillo.

* Mental Health Administration, 300 Hillmont Ave., Ventura.

* Public Social Services Agency headquarters, 505 Poli St., Ventura, and its district offices at 2003 Royal Ave., Simi Valley; 1400 Vanguard Drive, Oxnard, and 1320 E. Main St., Santa Paula.

* Public works field offices, including El Rio roads, 682 El Rio Drive, Oxnard; El Rio flood control, 630 El Rio Drive, Oxnard; Moorpark roads, flood control and water and sanitation, 7150 Walnut Canyon Road; Ojai roads, 1768 Maricopa Highway.

Source: County Personnel Department