MUSKEGON HEIGHTS ADOPTS COMPRESSED WORK WEEK WITH EXTENDED HOURS

January 15, 2020

Beginning Tuesday January 21, 2020, as the City of Muskegon Heights, “Sets its Sights on the New and Greater Heights”, the City Hall will have extended business hours Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., as enhanced customer service to our community. Residents will be able to maximize their time with the extended hours to visit City facilities. Furthermore, the City of Muskegon Heights is striving in the near future to offer residents more progressive services, such as a mobile phone application which will provide additional customer service communication capability and functionality.

City Hall will be open a ½ hour earlier in the morning and 1 ½ hours later in the evening. City Hall will be closed on Fridays. The following provides a detailed schedule of city services and how they will be affected.

Community Development Department (Planning & Zoning, and Building Inspection):  Residents and business owners will be able to conduct planning and zoning related business at City Hall Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Community Development offices will be closed on Fridays. For additional information please call 231-733-8830. Building Inspections will be offered Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Building Inspections offices will be closed on Fridays. For inspection requests call 231-733-8860.

Fire: Administrative offices will operate Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Fire Administration office will be closed on Fridays. If you would like to schedule a station

tour, or fire inspection, please call Fire Administration at 231-733-8890. As always, for emergencies dial 911.

Police: Administrative offices will operate Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30

p.m. The Police Administrative office will be closed on Fridays. Police Operations will continue to be available anytime. As always, for emergencies dial 911. The Police lobby will be open for walk in traffic Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and will be closed Fridays. For non-emergency information please call 231-733-8900.

Public Works: Public Works crews will operate on a Monday through Thursday schedule from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Public Works facility will be closed on Fridays. As always after hours  emergency service can be reached calls by calling 231-737-4130. 

Cemetery: Mona View Cemetery offices will now offer additional hours of operation Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Burial requests for Friday through Monday should be made with the cemetery office before 4:00p.m. the Wednesday prior to the burial. Friday burials will be the same rate as Saturday. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What will City Hall’s new hours be?

Beginning Monday January 20, 2020, City Hall will be open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. City Hall will be closed on Friday. 

Why is the City closing on Friday?

The majority of residents frequent City Hall Monday through Thursday, as opposed to Friday. This is a City Manager efficiency initiative designed to reduce the City’s utility costs by being closed on Friday when patronage is low. In addition, the change will provide extended hours for residents Monday through Thursday. This is also a means to attract and retain employees, increase employee morale, and improve citizen interaction. 

Why extend the hours of City Hall?

Many Muskegon Heights residents have to take time out of their workday to access City services such as paying a water bill or getting a building permit. Extended City hours will allow residents more convenient access to City services before or after their workday.

Will City employees be working less hours by having Fridays off?

City employees will work only 38 hours a week, many of whom will work four 9.5-hour days to provide extended service Monday through Thursday.

Will I still be able to pay my utility bill on Fridays?

Yes, multiple options are available for making payment during, or outside of, business hours: 

• A drop-box, located in front of the City Hall, provides a secure location for customers to deposit their Muskegon Heights payments (check or money order). 
• Customers will soon have the option to set up an online account to make a payment at their convenience using a card or checking account. 
• Currently, the Consumers Energy Direct Payment Office will remain open with normal Monday through Friday hours.  

Will I be able to schedule to have my water turned on/off on Fridays?

Yes, the City will work with new customers on an individual, as-needed, basis to ensure they have access to new utility services on Fridays. The City will continue the current practice of avoiding scheduled turn offs on Thursdays and Fridays.

Will the day my water bill is due be affected by City Hall being closed on Fridays?

No, utility bill due dates will not be affected by City Hall being closed on Fridays. Bills due on weekend will be on that following Monday. 

Can I still schedule construction inspections on Fridays? Building Inspections will be offered Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For inspection requests you can call 231-733-8860