4-day work week discussed for some Hall employees

GAINESVILLE - Hall County commissioners listened to ideas on how to cut fuel costs at Wednesday's Fuel Summit at the courthouse annex... and also discussed a plan to would have workers in some departments working a four-day week.

Charts presented at the summit indicate that fuel costs have escalated in four years from $997,000 in 2004 to $2.3 million this year.

Vice Chairman Steve Gailey pointed out the county is over budget on gasoline, allocating $2.70 a gallon, but paying $3.82 a gallon.

The ideas came from department heads and ranged from using alternative fuels to consolidating trips to installing mesh tailgates on county pick-up trucks.

Chairman Tom Oliver said he wants to look into shorter work weeks and for a better deal on gasoline.

"We'll explore the four-day work week for certain departments and we're going to look at moving our gas vendor," Oliver said.

Carol Miller with the Sheriff's Department told commissioners British Petroleum has offered four cents off a gallon and an additional 10 percent off per gallon for the first 90 days with their fuel contract.

The Sheriff's Department and Fire Services both indicated they're practicing gas conservation that won't cut down on responding to emergencies.

Fire Chief David Kimbrell said that's the case with his units.

"We're always going to respond to someone," Kimbrell said. "We're talking about cutting back on the number of units that respond, not actually cutting back on responses."

Sheriff's Maj. Jeff Strickland said deputies are now shutting their cars off at least 10 minutes every hour and using more motorcycles and bicycles on patrol when possible.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/8/212148