Tina Alvey
RONCEVERTE — The new year will mark a new start for city hall offices, with council’s decision Monday evening to approve expanded hours of operation over a five-day work week.
City Administrator Pamela Stevens asked council for permission to open city hall on Fridays once more, saying, “Staff has shown an interest in expanding our hours to include Friday, and the public has shown an interest as well.”
Previous administrator Blaine Oborn, who resigned his post in June, had placed city hall employees on a work week consisting of four 10-hour days, with offices open Monday through Thursday. Oborn touted the change as a cost-saving measure for both the city and its employees, who would only need to commute four days instead of five.
Stevens said while city hall will still be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, she has found a way to keep the offices staffed on Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by staggering work hours of existing staff.
The change will go into effect on Jan. 4.
In other business:
Council voted unanimously to have Stevens draft an ordinance committing the city to participate in Greenbrier’s countywide 911 addressing program. Ronceverte is the last municipality in the county to agree to participate.
Chris Glover was appointed to the municipal planning commission.
Grant coordinator Doug Hylton presented final paperwork to council on four grants totaling $22,500.
Due to a pending lawsuit, council tabled discussion on proposed amendments to the controversial ordinance that empowered the city to seize control of the Ronceverte Volunteer Fire Department.
Councilman David Smith reported the city is still burdened by a $284,000 deficit and now owes the county landfill $37,855 in tipping fees.
— E-mail: talvey@register-herald.com
