Commissioners vote to consider furlough option for themselves and their staffs

In an ongoing effort to save money, the Lucas County Commissioners voted Tuesday morning to give themselves and their staffs the option to take up to four unpaid furlough days — a decision that represents a move away from layoffs as a money saving tactic.

The unanimous vote was a step below Commissioner Ben Konop's original proposal to make mandatory three unpaid furlough days. His two colleagues voted "yes" to the motion on the condition that the furlough days be optional and the number of furlough days be "up to four" rather than set at three.

Mr. Konop said his proposal was "watered down" but it was a step in the right direction.

"It's not exactly what I had hoped for, but it's at least something concrete as opposed to a sort of empty boiler plate," he said.

The commissioners also voted unanimously to urge other Lucas County elected officials to do the same.

Mr. Konop said the county government system does not allow the commissioners to require other elected officials to take unpaid furlough days, but he hoped other officials would follow the commissioners' lead.

"By taking the step ourselves to take the furlough days, I think it probably will lead some elected officials in their own departments to at least strongly consider doing the same," he said. "That's my hope."