County offices to close half hour earlier
Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2008
BENTON COUNTY ó As of Nov. 24, all county offices will close at 4: 30 p. m. rather than 5 p. m., County Judge Gary Black said. There are multiple reasons behind the countyís decision to begin closing its offices 30 minutes earlier.
The change in hours may come as a shock to some because Black changed the closing hour from 4: 30 p. m. to 5 p. m. when he entered office in 2001.
ì When I first came into the office, I always worked until 5 p. m., î Black said. ì That was just the way I was brought up. In the eight years since I have been in office, I have grown a little bit, and so has the county. î
The decision to close offices earlier comes after months of discussions with other elected officials and because more services than ever are now being offered through the county Web site at www. co. benton. ar. us.
ì You can assess online, pay your taxes online and look up your property value online. We now have a Web site, which we did not when I came on board, and more information is available through the Web site, î Black said.
The earlier closing time will also help county employees spend less time fighting 5 p. m. traffic and more time with their families, Black said.
ì Closing earlier works better for me, î Brenda McClain of the County Clerkís Office said. ì My child is still in school, and she is supposed to be picked up by 5 p. m. It makes it difficult when I am still at work at 5 p. m. î
ì I think the citizens will be happy about it, and I think they will understand, î Black said.
County buildings will continue to operate at extended hours for special circumstances, including Equalization Board hearings and early voting.
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