The city of Covington permit services divisions hours have changed to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and closed on Fridays, weekends and holidays.

The hours were cut back Jan. 1 to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

According to a release from Karla Slate, community relations coordinator for Covington, income from the division “fell to an all time low,” which prompted the cut in counter hours.

Slate recommends customers call ahead to schedule appointments, and with the cut in hours, “There is even more need for an appointment.”

Stale wrote in her e-mail, “If customers happen to arrive without an appointment, permit services staff may not be able to serve them at that time. In this event, staff will be happy to set an appointment or get back to them by phone or e-mail. Additionally, hours may change temporarily throughout the year due to unforeseen circumstances and to accommodate staff schedules. Any temporary changes will be posted to the city’s Web site at www.ci.covington.wa.us as they occur.”

Slate noted the “recession has had impacts across all departments in the city and is not exclusive just to permit services. Staff has had to trim back expenditures and come up with creative ways to make the budget balance. Some of the cut backs resulted in a reduction of force across the city, especially in the community development department where permit services is located.”

To schedule an appointment with permit services contact City Hall at 253-638-1110 or e-mail permitservices@ci.covington.wa.us.