Today (May 22) is the first of four furlough days when Renton City Hall and many city offices will be closed to cut city expenses and help balance the city’s 2009 budget.

Most King County offices are closed Friday for similar furlough day to help the county balance its budget.

The employee furlough days will help preserve jobs and continue to provide city services to the Renton community.

All city employees, with the exception of essential police, fire and emergency maintenance staff, will take days off without pay. Besides today, the furlough days are Sept. 4, Oct. 12 and Nov. 25.

Police and Fire departments will be on duty on furlough days, as well as any city workers needed to deal with emergency street maintenance.

Here are details of the city’s operations plans for the furlough days.

City Hall

All city offices will be closed, with the exception of the Police Department.

Courts

Renton Municipal Court will be closed.

Community centers

All community centers will be closed to the public including Renton Community Center, Highlands Neighborhood Center, Carco Theatre, and Senior Activity Center.

Recreation programs

All City of Renton recreation programs will be cancelled. (The Henry Moses Aquatic Center will be open on Sept. 4, and there will be lifeguards at the swimming beaches).

Renton Public Library

The Main Branch and the Highlands Branch will be closed. They will re-open the next day for regularly scheduled hours. Visit rentonwa.gov for library hours.

Renton History Museum

Renton History Museum will be closed. The museum will re-open the next day for regularly scheduled hours. Visit rentonwa.gov for museum hours.

Fire and Emergency Services

All Fire and Emergency Services response operations facilities (fire stations) will be open and responding to emergencies, but will not conduct tours, education or inspection activities. All non-response related facilities will be closed.

Parks

All city parks will operate on the normal schedule.

Maplewood Golf Course

The city-owned Maplewood Golf Course will be open for regular business hours throughout the furlough days.

Renton Municipal Airport

The Renton Municipal Airport will be open during the furlough days.

Garbage collection

Garbage recycling and yard waste collection services, provided by Waste Management, will operate on a normal schedule.

For more information visit rentonwa.gov.