HR seeks $2.6 million to add holiday pay for employees working actual holidays

Sheena Schmitz, chief human resources officer, presented a division‑level budget and a single decision package: an additional holiday premium for employees who work four or more hours on the actual holiday. Schmitz said HR’s general‑fund request for departmental operations is $2,326,388 and that the additional holiday pay package would cost about $2,600,000 (inclusive of taxes) if approved. Schmitz said HR currently budgets observed holiday pay based on the commission’s approved holiday schedule; the proposal would add a cash premium (presented as $200 in the discussion) for employees who work on the actual holiday itself. She said roughly 500 employees on average work on actual holidays, and the additional payment would be in addition to existing holiday pay. Commissioners discussed scope and intent: the board framed the proposal as targeted at employees who work outside normal business hours (e.g., public‑safety and operations staff who cover nights, weekends and holidays) and noted the commission would dig into details during compensation discussions. HR clarified implementation would require payroll changes and possible definition adjustments for “observed” vs. “actual” holiday pay. Schmitz said HR had reorganized several internal roles and reduced one position due to efficiencies, and that the department has 21 active positions plus three full‑time equivalents in a shared‑leave category noted in the budget book.