The Danville-Boyle County Planning and Zoning offices could be open five days a week as of Oct. 1, according to a proposal from the Danville-Boyle County Planning and Zoning Commission’s budget committee on Wednesday.

The committee will discuss the five-day plan before the larger commission on July 5. The plan would not cost any more to taxpayers, said Jennie Hollon, P&Z administrative assistant.

“We’re just asking the same amount of money and be open five days. That comes from really watching every penny,” she said.

Stephen Hunter is scheduled to become the next director of the P&Z Commission as of Aug. 1, replacing Paula Berry, who is retiring. Commissioner Terry Manon said that Hunter has prior engagements that would keep him from being able to work five days a week until Oct. 1, which is why that date is being used.

“I think, what he would like to do is have a chance to work here a few months himself and decide whether or not he would then bring back to the full commission a recommendation if we should have more than just he working on Fridays,” Manon said. “That’s what I would tend to go with.”

Hollon brought three options to the budget committee for staffing on Fridays: have the director work by himself; have the director plus one person; or have the director plus two people (full staffing).

Based on Hollon’s figures, opening the office five days a week with just the director will not require the department to ask for any additional money from the Boyle County Fiscal Court or the Danville City Commission. Having more staff on Fridays would potentially create an increase in costs.

The Boyle County Fiscal Court currently funds P&Z with $65,000, an amount that has been the same since 2013, Hollon said. The Danville City Commission provides $75,000, which has been the same since 2015, Hollon said. The city commission is voting next week and Hollon said they have confirmed they will give at least that much again.

Together, a total of $140,000 comes from the two governments. The City of Perryville participates in P&Z, but has not paid into it in since the 2014-2015 fiscal year; Junction City does not participate.