Anoka County will be closing its licensing centers on Saturdays beginning in June, a result of state-mandated budget cuts, but hardly a reflection of the centers' popularity, county official Steve Novak said Tuesday.

The centers still show a net profit, but budget cuts forced the Saturday closings, said Novak, the county's governmental services division manager. To compensate, the licensing centers will extend closing hours by 90 minutes on Tuesdays, to 7 p.m.

"Saturday is a day of convenience, but also the weakest day," Novak said, after the County Board voted to end Saturday service.

"The good news is we didn't have to cut veterans' services and we've treaded very lightly on any changes to our 911 emergency service."

PAUL LEVY