Bellaire — The City Council voted Jan. 6 to increase the number of floating holidays available to city employees from three days per year to five, a change City Manager Sharon described as intended to improve Bellaire’s competitiveness with peer municipalities and to provide staff additional flexible time off.

Sharon, the city manager, told council the floating holidays are “use it or lose it” within the calendar year and are not paid out when unused. She also said the policy includes prorating for employees who join midyear and that new employees may use floating holidays within their first 90 days under the proposed policy; supervisors must approve time off to avoid operational gaps.

Councilmember Jackie Giorgio moved the ordinance; Councilmember Katherine Lewis seconded. Council discussed potential overtime impacts for public‑safety and public‑works staffing; Sharon said directors will manage schedules and that the city does not expect increased overtime costs, noting the change places Bellaire among municipalities that offer a larger total holiday package.

Sharon told council that staff surveyed 30 jurisdictions and found a range of approaches; adopting five floating days places Bellaire among those with more generous holiday totals. “They are a pretty traditional way to compensate employees in the municipal world,” she said. She characterized the budgetary impact as de minimis given current accrual rules and workforce tenure patterns.

Council members who spoke in favor cited employee retention and morale; several urged managers to monitor schedules closely to ensure continuity of services. The council approved the amendment by voice vote.

Under the adopted policy floating holidays will be administered by existing HR procedures; Sharon said staff will monitor overtime and return to council if supervisors report operational problems that require further measures.