LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The majority of county of Lake offices will be closed to the public Monday, Dec. 23, through Friday, Dec. 27, in observance of the holidays.
In previous years, the county observed a three-day closure surrounding Christmas day.
Beginning in July of this year, the Board of Supervisors took action to provide employees in all represented and unrepresented groups five days off in consideration of the winter holidays.
The Lake County Library’s branches will also be closed Saturday, Dec. 28, and Lake County Animal Care and Control will be closed to the general public that day as well, as Lake County News has reported.
“Historically, demand for most County services has lulled around the holidays,” said County Administrative Officer, Carol J. Huchingson. “Our board saw this norm as an opportunity to partner with labor representatives to provide employees a meaningful benefit, without prohibitive additional cost to the county’s general fund. Employees have in recent years been provided two annual personal days, and those were exchanged by our employee groups for more time off around the holidays.”
Huchingson said that while county offices will generally be closed to the public, county officials and select staff will work behind closed doors to fulfill mandates and support critical functions.
“Behavioral Health Crisis services, jail staff, sheriff patrol and Central Dispatch, for example, will remain available 24/7. Some departments have made additional accommodations for local independent Special Districts, and our Auditor-Controller anticipates issuing payroll checks for the local entities their office supports,” Huchingson said.
Concern has been expressed regarding late-December real estate transactions, and County Assessor-Recorder Richard Ford reported that he will open the office on Friday, Dec. 20, to compensate for the added year-end volume.”
“We evaluate the calendar and adjust accordingly, every year,” Ford said.
“Road crews will be on-call and available to respond to road hazards, as required,” said County Public Works Director Scott De Leon.
Any hazards should first be reported to the California Highway Patrol, which will appropriately route the inquiry.
Public Services Director Lars Ewing reported the Eastlake Landfill will be closed to the public Dec. 24 to 26, but otherwise open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Outdoor county park facilities will be available during their customary hours.
The Lower Lake Historic Schoolhouse Museum and the Historic Courthouse Museum in Lakeport will be open Friday, Dec. 27, and Saturday, Dec. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Courthouse Museum will likewise maintain its customary Sunday hours – noon to 4 p.m. – on Dec. 29. Gibson Museum and Cultural Center in Middletown is closed for a building remodel through Jan. 2.
The Lake County Superior Court will be open the week of Dec. 23, with the exception of Christmas Day.
All county offices with responsibilities to support court-related matters and proceedings have planned to provide appropriate coverage.
The Sheriff’s Records Bureau and Civil Division will be open 8 a.m. to noon, with the exception of Christmas Day.
County offices to be closed Dec. 23 to 27 for winter holiday week
- Lake County News reports
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