Note to the U.S. Postal Service: When facing a $20-billion shortfall, don’t close a post office that actually turns a profit.

A decline in snail mail has caused the USPS to look into closing offices around the country, including the Mount Vernon Avenue and Seminary Road offices in Alexandria. But, as Councilwoman Alicia Hughes pointed out Tuesday night at City Hall, the latter actually makes the federal government money.

The Virginia Theological Seminary owns the Seminary Road branch and doesn’t charge rent, creating years of profits for the USPS locale.

“[The USPS] is making money off of a post office that they’re looking to close,” Hughes said. “It doesn’t really make sense to cut out a post office that’s turning a profit for you.”

Mayor Bill Euille directed city staff to draft a letter to the postmaster general to save the post offices from closure. A decision is expected in May 2012.