New hours for two Lee County Sheriff’s substation have taken place as of this past Monday. One of the substation is located at 1303 Homestead Rd. in Lehigh Acres.

In addition , new hours will also take effect at the Charlie District offices at 15650 Pine Ridge Road, Fort Myers.

The two offices are the first of five to go to a Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. availability for public walk-ins, Sheriff’s officials said.

After hours and on weekends, citizens will be able to use an intercom phone connection to the Sheriff’s Office call takers at the dispatch center, should they need a deputy to meet them at the office, authorities said.

The changes will not impact road patrol response or services, which are already coordinated through 911 dispatch at the headquarters facility, officials said.

Deputies will continue to operate and utilize the District offices and provide the same service as in the past.

The changes come as a cost saving measure in light of the economic challenges facing local government. The estimated savings by reducing the hours and reallocating the civilian personnel assigned to the districts is more than a million dollars a year, according to Sheriff Mike Scott.

A review of the services offered at night and on weekends revealed significantly less foot traffic and incoming calls by citizens, which could be redirected and absorbed along with other clerical duties, officials said.