Bayou La Batre plans to close its City Hall every Friday in an attempt to make up for rising fuel costs and other expenses, city officials said this week.

The City Council has adopted a four-day workweek for some employees that begins July 21. About 22 employees — from city administration, municipal court and the library — will work extended 10-hour shifts Monday through Thursday.

City officials said they hope to cut back on expenses by reducing utility bills. Employees will also save on gasoline by commuting to work only four days each week, officials said.

"I'm doing this to save on energy," Mayor Stan Wright said. "If we don't save money, we'll put it back like it was. ... It won't hurt to try."

Wright said he can't estimate how much will be saved, but city officials plan to test the new schedule for three months, then compare utility bills.

In June, the city spent about $10,700 in fuel costs for city vehicles and equipment and about $13,600 for electricity, city officials said.

It was unclear how much Bayou La Batre budgeted for utilities and fuel in the $3.58 million budget for the current fiscal year that ends in September .

City Clerk Donna Gainey said the budget doesn't include totals for specific types of expenses. Instead, they break down the budget by department, she said.

Wright said he got the idea to shutter City Hall on Fridays from the city of Prattville, northwest of Montgomery.

Prattville temporarily installed a four-day workweek last month for 100 of the city's 400 employees. The new schedule, which doesn't affect the mayor's office, will be used until August, officials said.

Prattville Mayor Jim Byard Jr. said his city expects to see the biggest budget savings from reduced air conditioning use during the hot summer season, although he didn't have a savings estimate. Employees are also saving on personal commuting costs, he said.

Residents haven't complained about the amended hours, Byard said, but employees have had to adjust to the longer workdays.

"It gets a little tiring on Thursday afternoon," Byard said.

Bayou La Batre City Hall is currently open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Under the new policy, employees will work 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, although City Hall won't open to the public until 8 a.m. each day. Residents will have an extra hour at the end of the day for city business.

Police officers, firefighters and employees at the Bayou La Batre Community Center won't follow the new schedule, officials said.

As administrators, Police Chief John Joyner and Fire Chief John Wiggins will be off on Fridays, but they will remain on call for emergencies, officials said.

The street department will operate on a similar condensed schedule 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, city officials said.

"If we can save some money let's do it," Councilman Henry Barnes said. "Everyone's trying to cut corners and save where they can."