A Utah Association of Counties survey has found that more than a dozen county governments are considering four-day schedules similar to the one Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has ordered for state employees.

That means building inspectors, property assessors, road workers and a hodgepodge of other county employees could clock out on Fridays.

But it also means those offices could stay open a little longer - from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. - to assist customers.

"The key question," Royce Van Tassell, vice president of the business-backed Utah Taxpayers Association, said, "is whether public services are available when the public wants access."

So how much did the state's planned Aug. 4 scheduling shift - considered one of the largest transitions to a four-hour week in the nation - have to do with the county trend?

At least five counties will shorten their workweeks this fall once state offices start ticking on a new time clock.

"If the state hadn't done it," Cache County Executive Lynn Lemon said, "we wouldn't be considering it."

The Utah Association of Counties says the scheduling shift is unmistakable. Thirteen out of the 18 counties that responded to the association's survey said they are contemplating changes.

Some counties are considering shutting down their offices entirely on Fridays. Others want four-day workweeks only for road crews or court services.

Is it good public policy? Good question.

The new schedule may cut energy costs. It may reduce gasoline consumption. It may improve accessibility for customers wanting to stop by the office before or after work.

But it could reduce productivity. Or aggravate people wanting to do business on Friday.

Only time will tell, according to Brent Gardner, executive director for the Utah Association of Counties. But clearly, counties' interest in a shorter workweek means "this is something we will have to deal with."

Meanwhile, county governments will be changing their hours.

Juab County will shut down everything but the courts. Sanpete will send its assessor, auditor, building inspector, recorder and treasurer home early. And Tooele County will keep only its law enforcement officers on the streets.

Cache County will give the concept a six-month trial. It will shift most of its departments to a shorter schedule in August and evaluate how things are working early next year. The county will continue to keep its library, senior center and administrative offices open all week, not to mention deputies on patrol.

"We are a little ahead of the curve," Gardner said, suggesting that Utah is experimenting more extensively with the four-day week than surrounding states. "But I don't think it is going to be a new phenomenon for long."

jstettler@sltrib.com

Counties considering longer days and shorter workweeks

* Cache

* Carbon*

* Davis

* Emery

* Juab

* Morgan

* Salt Lake*

* Sanpete*

* Summit*

* Tooele*

* Uintah

* Utah

* Weber*

*Already have adopted alternative schedules for some departments.

Source: Utah Association of Counties