City Closes Down for a Week to Save Money

Any business you may need to take care of at Redlands City Hall will have to wait until after the New Year.

The Civic Center will be closed the entire week as a cost cutting measure for fiscal year 2011-12, officials said.

The business offices at the Civic Center, 35 Cajon St., will be closed through Jan. 2. They will reopen Jan. 3.

“The weeklong closure represents a budget savings to the city of approximately $50,000,” said Carl Baker, public information officer for Redlands.

Emergency services, including public safety and critical public works, will not be affected and trash, recycling collection and street sweeping will continue on their regular schedules, officials said.

The Redlands Community Center and the Joslyn Senior Center was closed Dec. 19 and will reopen Jan. 3. The closure also does not affect utility bills and other payments due to the city.

A night drop box is available at the City Treasurer’s Office for all payments.

Loma Linda will reopen Dec. 27, officials there said. But the city regularly closes Fridays as a money saving measure.

Redlands filled a nearly $4 million budget gap. Loma Linda was forced to cut several positions and renegotiate benefits in an effort to avoid a budget shortall.