County service center in Eden Prairie to close in Jan.
No permanent staff members will lose their jobs when the Hennepin County Eden Prairie Service Center closes in January.
The closure will save the county at least $300,000 a year, estimates Kathy Schons, service centers division manager. The centers handle driver's services, birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, passports and other services.
Hennepin County Commissioners approved the closing as part of the 2012 budget, because the Eden Prairie center handles fewer transactions and generates less revenue than the other six county service centers.
People needing services will be redirected to other nearby service centers in Southdale and Ridgedale starting Jan. 20.
"It is a sign of the times. The recession is hitting everybody very hard and consequently the county commissioners need to be very vigilant in how they use taxpayer dollars," Schons said.
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