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Commissioners adopt 13‑day 2025 county holiday calendar, direct HR to change holiday pay to 10‑hour bank
Summary
After an extended discussion the board adopted the wellness committee’s recommendation for 13 county holidays in 2025 and directed staff to amend the employee handbook so each recognized holiday is paid at 10 hours with unused hours banked for use within the calendar year.
San Miguel County commissioners on Dec. 18 adopted a 13‑day holiday calendar for county operations in 2025 and directed staff to prepare an amendment to the employee handbook changing holiday pay to 10 hours per holiday and allowing employees who normally work 8‑hour schedules to bank the extra hours for use within the calendar year.
County Deputy Jared Biggs framed the recommendation at the request of the wellness committee and human resources. Biggs told the board that historically county practice recognized an 8‑hour holiday but many county employees work alternate schedules — 10‑hour days or four‑day weeks — and the proposal aimed to equalize holiday pay across schedules. "There is a suggestion in here to change that 8 hours to a 10 hour workday," Biggs said. The board discussed how the change would affect employees working different schedules and how remaining hours would be administered; Human Resources and Finance recommended a "use‑it‑or‑lose‑it" approach so banks do not create long‑term liabilities.
Wellness committee member Sarah described her group’s recommendation, which included two sets of options: retaining 14 holidays as in 2024 or reducing to 13 by dropping New Year’s Eve. "I think the wellness committee did make a recommendation, and actually they made two," she told the board. After discussion about recruitment, equity between 8‑ and 10‑hour schedules, and operational staffing, Commissioner Chris Holstrom moved to adopt the wellness committee recommendation of 13 holidays for 2025 and to direct staff to prepare payroll and handbook changes implementing 10‑hour holiday recognition. The motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners and staff emphasized the action does not immediately amend the employee handbook but directs HR to draft the amendment and return for formal adoption. Ramona, the finance director, confirmed the county would treat the 10‑hour holiday bank as noncompensable paid time off that would not roll indefinitely or pay out on separation — the approach was presented as consistent with local payroll practice.
Ending: Commissioners asked staff to return in the new year with the employee handbook amendment and implementation details; the county plans to implement the 13‑day calendar in 2025 pending the handbook update.
