New Community Development Building counter hours reduced
January 14, 2005
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula City Council
If you have official business with the city Building/Safety, Fire or Planning departments, it might be wise to write down the new counter service hours schedule approved by the City Council.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesIf you have official business with the city Building/Safety, Fire or Planning departments, it might be wise to write down the new counter service hours schedule approved by the City Council. The move to change staff counter office hours of those working in the Community Development building – located just east of City Hall - was done as a cost-saving and personnel workload concentration for the city that will preclude hiring more personnel for the Building/Safety and Planning departments. The City Council heard details of the customer service counter hours schedule change at the January 3 meeting.“Due to the new budget changes” to shift funds to public safety departments, customer service counter office hours have been decreased, noted Building/Safety Director Steve Stuart. Limiting counter hours – which will free up personnel to concentrate on processing permits and other paperwork – will “allow us to continue excellent public service,” said Stuart.Councilman Ray Luna asked Stuart how much the reduced counter hours will save the city. Stuart estimated the change should save the city about $50,000. The schedule change took effect on January 10.
New counter hours for the Community Development Building are: Planning Department, Fire Administration/Fire Prevention Bureau -Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon, then 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. when the building closes. On Wednesday hours will be 8:30 a.m. to noon, with no customer service counter hours the balance of the day.The Building/Safety Department’s counter hours are now Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. If you need to visit the Building/Safety Department on Wednesdays, counter hours will be 8 a.m. to noon, with no customer service counter hours the balance of the day.Also, keep in mind that City Hall is now closed every other Friday.