After 4 Years, Riverside County Employees Say Goodbye To 'Furlough Fridays'

RIVERSIDE (CBSLA.com) — After four years, Riverside County governmental employees said goodbye to "Furlough Fridays."

The County Administrative Center on Lemon Street was one of the buildings open for business July 26 after the Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to change the county's work schedule.

County spokesperson Ray Smith said the Friday closure was a necessary cost-saving measure; it saved the county about $900,000 in utility costs alone.

"Everybody knows that the economy is getting better, but revenue isn't exactly flowing as much as it was during the heyday, but I think the Board of Supervisors thought it was important to make sure services were provided to the public five days a week," he said.

Since 2009, county workers experienced 10 percent pay cuts and furloughs, which ended about a year ago, along with the Friday closure.

Smith said the county can now afford to keep their doors open for a normal business week.

"Departments have the flexibility to adjust their schedules as they need to…to serve the community," he said.