Most Evanston offices and facilities will close Nov. 10 — in observance of Veterans Day — for an unpaid furlough day as part of a comprehensive cost-saving plan that City Council approved weeks ago.

In a Monday news release, Evanston community engagement manager Martha Logan said the furlough day will help balance the current Fiscal Year 2017 budget.

The roughly $308 million budget now has a $1.9 million deficit because building permit fees fell short of the budget’s projected amount. The number is down from the $3.3 million expected in July, and the furlough day is expected to save the city $120,000.

“Full-time and part-time employees who are not scheduled to work on November 10 will have their hours reduced from their vacation bank,” Logan said. “Employees who must work on November 10 will have their hours reduced from their vacation bank or will choose another unpaid day off, depending on their contract.”

All nonessential employees will be on unpaid leave, and only critical police, fire and water plant operations will continue, Logan added.

Logan said recreation centers, all Evanston Public Library locations and Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center city offices — except for building tenants — will close for standard programs and services. However, contracts for room rentals in community centers will be upheld, and the 311 service, Robert Crown Community Center, Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center and Mason Park services will remain open.

“The bottom line is we need to make tough spending decisions,” Mayor Steve Hagerty told the Chicago Tribune. “Increasing already-high property taxes is not an option. And a furlough day, while a last resort, is necessary in order to balance the 2017 budget.”

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