Efforts to reduce Blaine County's carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2025 have officials considering a four-day workweek to reduce the number of days county buildings are open.
On Tuesday, the Blaine County Commissioners listened to the details of an internal survey that asked county employees whether they'd prefer to move to four 10-hour shifts a week to help cut back on power use and help the county save money.
Of the nearly 100 respondents queried, 65 percent preferred the four-day work week, said Shana Sweitzer, county planner with the Blaine County Planning and Zoning Department.
According to county staff, moving to four days a week would help reduce the county's carbon emissions—which scientists say contribute to climate change—in two primary ways. First, it would reduce energy use in county buildings because of reduced heating and lighting needs, and secondly, it would limit trips to work that employees drive each week.
The county wouldn't reduce the number of hours county services are available to the public. Rather, they would extend hours of business into the morning or evening to compensate. This would benefit the working public who often are unable to take care of county business after leaving work, staff said.
All three of the county commissioners expressed tentative support for the idea of moving to a four-day work week. However, before such a change is made, the county will ask the public to weigh in on the proposal.
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Early thinking is pointing to a Friday closure at county buildings. The city of Bellevue has already moved to a four-day work week, county staff noted.
"I'm very supportive of the four-day workweek," said County Commissioner Angenie McCleary.
County staff recommended July 6 as a possible date to move to four days a week.
Jason Kauffman: jkauffman@mtexpress.com
Angenie McCleary
