07/31/08 - Jackson
Four-Day
Work Week
By:
Ginger Trice
Is a
four-day work week the answer to the City of Jackson's
financial woes? Councilman Danny Ellis says its worth
checking out. At the upcoming city council meeting,
Ellis plans to propose that a committee be formed to
study a four-day work week for city employees.
"I can't see
the harm in forming a committee to take a look at it,"
says Ellis.
Several
municipalities across the nation have recently switched
to four-day work weeks, in an effort to save on
utilities and fuel costs. Ellis says city leaders
should research the idea to see if it will be
cost-effective for Jackson.
"Basically
what I'm doing is asking the council to do a cost
benefit analysis to see if its beneficial. If its not,
we don't need to consider it. If it is, we need to have
that recommendation and the mayor needs to make a
decision."
Jackson
Mayor Jerry Gist says he does not think moving to a
four-day work week will be productive, since employees
are still working the same number of hours. Gist says
more emphasis should be placed on using city vehicles
more efficiently.
The city
council meets Tuesday, August 5th at 9:00 a.m.