RM of Portage la Prairie residents will soon be able to conduct business with the municipality over the lunch hour. Currently the municipal office is closed for lunch, but Council has approved to change the hours later this summer. CAO Nettie Neudorf says while it's something that has been on their radar for quite some time, they're not in a position to move forward.

"There was interest expressed by Council to have the hours open over the lunch time. With the additional staff person we're going to have in June, we'll have enough coverage to be open during the lunch hour."

While the decision was just made earlier this week, Neudorf anticipates good reception from the RM's residents, citing a number of concerns expressed over the years.

"We'd often see that people are trying to get in, or they come in later and say they had tried at lunch. With this out there, it's no longer an issue for them. They won't have to arrange to take other time off to come in, when people are usually making those errands during lunch when they're off."

The changes won't be put in place until July 4th, to allow the new staff member to become well-acquainted with the municipal office.