Durham City Councilman Howard Clement III proposed today that city staff investigate having employees work four-day weeks to help save on energy costs.

The idea is that having to power City Hall and city vehicles four days a week instead of five will save money on power bills and gas, as well as spare employees one commute per week.

"It's been tried all over the country in light of the gasoline situation, which I don't think is going to improve anytime soon," Clement said today at a council work session.

"I would hope we would take this seriously. This could amount to significant savings, particularly for our employees."

City Manager Patrick Baker said he would have staff look into the experiences of other governments that have tried the change. County commissioners in June also asked county staff to look at the possibility.

State of Utah employees recently started the practice.

If you're one of the property owners feeling the crunch of the revaluation and tax increases, this might be of benefit:

The Durham County tax administration reminded residents today that they can pay their tax bills in installments by calling (919) 560-0300.

Tax bills will be mailed out at the end of the month, and may be paid

— in person at the main office on the first floor of the Old Durham Courthouse (200 E. Main St. in downtown)

— in person at the new tax payment kiosk at Northgate Mall, 1058 W. Club Blvd.

— by mail

— online using E-services (there's a fee)

— by telephone (1-866-892-0656) using E-services (there's a fee; instructions here)

— by electronic draft

To calculate your taxes, follow the instructions that accompanied our package on taxes last week.

Usually holiday weekends mean mayhem for police. On the campus of Duke University, police were dealing with some low blows. From the police log:

July 5, 2008

9:59 a.m. Duke Gardens. Larceny. An employee reported 150 gallons of gas were stolen.

July 6, 2008

8:54 p.m. Doris Duke Center. Larceny. An unknown male placed a flower pot inside his vehicle and drove away.

Also, at Duke Hospital North, a visitor demonstrates possibly one of the most abhorrent, not to mention dangerous, places for weapon storage:

July 3, 2008

10:02 p.m. Duke Hospital North. Weapon on campus. Security Officers at the entry screening area found a weapon in a diaper bag; the visitor was issued a state citation for same.

Some of the stories coming up this weekend in The Durham News

Here comes your property tax bill

The revaluations are completed. City and county budgets have been adopted. Now you can finally figure out how all those changes will affect YOUR bill.

We'll also show you what the bill is for some of Durham’s landmark properties.

Goodwill garden

What’s the story behind the remarkable garden that has taken shape at Goodwill Industries’ regional headquarters on Chin Page Road?

Seeking a higher office

What’s next for the Rev. Phil Cousin Jr.? He steps down later this year from the Board of County Commissioners.

And here's a sneak peek at Dennis Draughon's cartoon.

From the Duke University Police Log, just released this afternoon:

June 30, 5:35 p.m. Larceny. Parking Garage IV. An employee reported approximately $20 of gasoline stolen from his vehicle’s tank between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Twenty dollars worth. Hmm. With gas prices the way they are these days, I think that's about how much money I lose if the nozzle drips a little when I'm putting it back.