Greenwood County to Implement 4-Day Work Week for Employees Starting September
Residents of Greenwood County should prepare for some changes in county office hours come September. At a recent council meeting, a decision was made to switch many county employees to a 4-day work week, starting September 4th. This move is part of an effort to improve employee retention and recruitment, as explained by Human Resources Director Rhonda McAllister.
New Work Schedule Announced
The new schedule will have employees working from 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, including a 30-minute lunch break. As a result, some significant changes will be seen in the operations of county offices, particularly the county courthouse and the administrative offices at Park Plaza, which will be closed on Fridays. County Attorney Penney Carson assured residents that any tax bills due on a Friday can be paid the following Monday.
County Council Supports the Change
County Council voted unanimously, 6-0, in favor of the revised schedule and associated policy updates. Council Chairman Chuck Moates acknowledged that the transition could spark some initial resistance but remained optimistic about the community’s ability to adapt.
“The test is going to be, once we implement it, what the public’s reaction is going to be. If we try it and we see that, A — it’s not really fitting into the community the way we thought, and B — the employees are getting frustrated with it, then we can come back and re-look at it,” Moates said.
Upcoming Renovations on County Buildings
In addition to the new working hours, the council also discussed major renovation projects with County Engineer Rett Templeton. $12 million will be invested in renovating Park Plaza located at 600 Monument Street, and another $6 million will be spent on the courthouse. The renovations aim to convert the courthouse into a judicial center, relocating administrative services to Park Plaza. Park Plaza will also offer drive-thru services for making regular payments.
During renovation phases, some departments will move to a recently purchased former church property off Deadfall Road, in which the county has already invested around $140,000 for renovation purposes.
New Equipment for Fire and Emergency Services
The meeting also saw council approving significant purchases for the county’s fire and emergency services. County Fire Chief Steve Holmes reported finding a fully equipped fire engine for $895,750, lower than the initially appropriated $950,000. Emergency Communications Operation Manager Jill Boland secured approval to use a $900,000 grant to buy new digital consoles for the E-911 dispatch center. These consoles will be crucial for equipping the backup center with radios, ensuring uninterrupted service in case the main radios go offline.
Overall, Greenwood County is gearing up for several changes aimed at improving employee satisfaction and modernizing public services. While residents may need some time to adjust to these new schedules and facilities, county officials are hopeful that these steps will yield positive results.
