Cole County Commission to survey staff on 2026 holiday schedule after debate over floating days and Christmas timing

Cole County commissioners spent significant time debating the county’s 2026 holiday calendar and staff preferences for holiday timing, then agreed to run a staff survey and revisit the schedule at next week’s meeting.

Department leaders told commissioners that many employees prefer time off adjacent to major holidays such as Christmas Eve or the day after Christmas, and some managers said staff would be willing to trade a less-popular holiday (Truman Day or Columbus Day) for time adjacent to Christmas. One department manager said, "I'd be willing to give up Truman Day or Columbus Day if we could have Christmas Eve or the day after Christmas," reflecting staff priority for family time during the winter holidays.

Commissioners and staff raised operational concerns about allowing many offices to close simultaneously if floaters are used: possible impacts to client services, collector statutory opening requirements, and emergency services coverage. Commissioners recalled past experience where floaters caused coordination problems and suggested surveying all county departments to determine preferences and logistical constraints.

The commission directed staff to run a SurveyMonkey poll with options: leave the holiday list unchanged, institute a single floater for Truman Day, institute a single floater for Columbus Day, or create two floaters replacing two other holidays. The commission scheduled the holiday item for next week's agenda so members could review survey results before making a final decision.

No final change to the 2026 holiday calendar was adopted at this meeting; the matter remains under consideration pending the staff survey and further discussion.