LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Beginning March 15, the Lake County Health Services Department will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon every Friday.

This includes the Public Health and Environmental Health Divisions, both of which have managed increasing administrative responsibilities due to recent wildfires and flooding.

Since 2008, Lake County’s government has faced an unprecedented series of challenges brought by recession and disaster.

As of Aug. 28, 2018, the Board of Supervisors authorized many county offices to mirror the practices of the cities of Lakeport and Clearlake and close to the public on Fridays. The Board reauthorized reduced public office hours through September 2019 on Tuesday, March 12.

County staff have continued to work on Fridays, behind closed doors, and reduced public hours have facilitated important training opportunities, more focused staff meetings, and other benefits that enhance County services provided Monday through Thursday.

Faced with understaffing and heavy workloads, Lake County Health Services is now following suit, and reducing public hours on Fridays.

“Our present circumstances demand this change,” said Health Services Director Denise Pomeroy. “Norms established well in the past are not allowing our department to optimally serve Lake County residents, and we are working to implement new practices to support a healthier public and more sustainably strong Health Services Department.”

For more information on the hours of county offices, please visit http://www.lakecountyca.gov/. Office locations and public hours can be found on departmental Web pages.

Lake County Health Services Department can be reached at 707-263-1090.