With Christmas Eve on a Monday, and Christmas on a Tuesday, Yorkton Council moved to close City Hall on the Monday at its regular meeting this week.

“On past occasions with December 24, falling on Monday, City Council approved the closure of City Hall for that business day. Normally staff has either taken a day of vacation in lieu time to facilitate the closure of City Hall,” explained Chris Wentzell, Director of Human Resources with the City.

“In 2007, Administration requested approval to close City Hall on Monday, December 31, since it was a Monday as well. This year we are asking Council’s consideration for the closure of City Hall on December 24, and December 31. City Hall tends to be extremely slow over the Christmas Holidays and with more and more people paying their utility bills and taxes on line, we do tend to see an influx of customers at this time. City Hall also provides a mail slot for residents to drop off their payments whenever they are at City Hall outside of normal business hours. As we do not have a lot of staff in each department at City Hall, it is at times difficult to accommodate all those staff that would like to enjoy extra time with their families during the holidays, while trying to maintain adequate coverage to enable all Departments to remain open.”

The Monday closure will not mean an extra paid holiday for staff.

“Outside of City Hall, some of the Departments are staffed 24/7 and the articles of the Collective Agreement would continue to apply for those days. As well, those Departments that need to be in operation due to snow clearing, and Municipal Staff at the City RCMP Detachment, along with other services to the public such as swimming, skating, etc. would remain adequately staffed to meet those needs.”

Council’s decision was unanimous.