Sanford city hall closed till new year

Updated: Friday, 24 Dec 2010, 10:58 AM EST
Published : Thursday, 23 Dec 2010, 8:17 PM EST

Holly Bristow
FOX 35 News

SANFORD, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - One by one folks showed up to Sanford City Hall trying to take care of business, only to find out it's closed until next year.

The sign on the door reads “Notice: City Hall will be closed December 23rd through January 2nd.”

"Then they don't get their money until after new years," said Gene Strick, who wanted to pay is water bill.

FOX 35 spoke with Sanford's mayor. She says its all part of the city's cost cutting measures.

City hall is already closed on Fridays, so employees would have been off this Friday and next Friday. Monday is the city's Christmas holiday.

Due to tough financial times the city hasn't given employee yearly raises or holiday bonuses in the past three years. So to compensate city leaders voted to give employees Thursday next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday off, an extra 4 days. No word yet on how much that is saving the city.

"That's very nice of them, however, I'm here to pay my bill. I feel they already have Friday off. Give me my Thursday, OK?" said James Lee. "That long of a period is a little too much."

The mayor says with city hall shut down, folks might be inconvenienced if they want to apply for a building permit because they'll have to wait until next year. She did say folks like Lee could write a check and leave utility bill payments in the drop off box. "I drove specifically to the bank to get cash to pay my water bill," said Lee in frustration.

LINK TO VIDEO

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/local/sanford-city-hall-closed-for-holidays