West Valley suburb extending business hours, shortening workweek

PHOENIX – One West Valley suburb is extending business hours but shortening its workweek.

Starting Sept. 9, El Mirage City Hall will be open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and closed Fridays.

Current hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

The changes are intended to improve employee morale while making it easier for residents to access services on the days they are offered, according to a press release.

Full-time city employees will continue to work 40 hours a week, with four 10-hour days.

The new hours are part of a pilot program that will be evaluated by the City Council in October 2020.

The changes will impact the city’s community development department – which includes planning/zoning, engineering and building safety – as well as public works, customer service and the fire and police administration offices.

Police, fire and other emergency services will continue to operate seven days a week.

The city court hours will also change, with restraining orders getting referred to nearby jurisdictions on Fridays.

Residents who want to pay utility bills when city offices are closed will be able to use a drop box in front of the Customer Service Office or an online portal. Additionally, the city will start a free pay-by-phone service in October.

The El Mirage Senior Center will be unaffected by shortened workweek, remaining open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

El Mirage is located about 20 miles northwest of downtown Phoenix and has an estimated population of 35,000.

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