LAKEPORT, Calif. – Despite continuous efforts to recruit and retain employees, county departments operate at an average 25-percent employee vacancy rate.

The Lake County Community Development Department, due to a severe temporary staffing shortage, will close to the public from noon to 1 p.m. through Friday, May 11.

Temporary noontime closures are permitted “Under extraordinary circumstances,” pursuant to Section 2-2.2 of Article I, Chapter 2 of the Lake County Code. However, all County Department Heads make every effort to avoid them.

“We are very sorry for any inconvenience this causes the public,” said Principal Planner Byron Turner. “It is vitally important to us to be available when members of the community most need us, and we know the lunch hour is an important window for many working people.”

“Even during this period of understaffing, we are committed to remaining available to the public by telephone, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” said Turner. “We are doing all we can to restore full public counter hours as soon as possible.”

The public can reach the Community Development Department from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the following numbers:

– For Planning, 707-263-2221;
– For Building, 707-263-2382;
– For Code Enforcement, 707-263-2309.