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Minnehaha County approves Dec. 26 paid holiday after heated public comment
Summary
The Minnehaha County Commission voted Nov. 4 to designate Dec. 26, 2025, a paid county holiday to aid employee retention; commissioners said the decision aligns with state and city observances, while several residents criticized the move and demanded cost figures.
Minnehaha County commissioners on Nov. 4 voted to designate Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, as a paid holiday for county employees, citing recruitment and retention concerns and alignment with state and municipal closures.
Tom Greco, the county's commission administrative officer, told the board the designation is used “very sparingly” and was recommended after a county compensation-and-benefits review. “These are done very sparingly,” Greco said, adding that the state, Unified Judicial System and City of Sioux Falls also plan to close that day.
Supporters on the commission argued the holiday is a modest way to recognize staff and avoid asking employees to return to work when state partners are closed. Commissioner comments described the move as a tool to remain competitive in a tight labor market.
The proposal prompted extended public comment and sharp criticism. Several speakers asked for a dollar estimate of the cost to taxpayers; county staff did not present a meeting estimate. Taxpayer Gary Meyer said the measure was poorly timed and accused the board of excessive spending, saying, “You commissioners are drunk on our money.” Meyer and another commenter were admonished by the chair for language and, in one case, escorted from the chamber after exceeding the public-comment rules.
Other residents raised broader fiscal concerns, citing recent county decisions including a juvenile detention center addition and the commission's prior opt-out from state tax-limit provisions. Supporters countered that the county has over 6,600 employees and that a single floating holiday is limited in scope.
The commission moved, seconded and approved the holiday designation by voice vote. The motion passed after commissioners exchanged reasons for supporting the change; no public tally of the estimated fiscal cost was recorded in the meeting minutes.
The board also asked staff to continue discussions about personnel benefits and the wider compensation study; no immediate budget amendment was approved at the Nov. 4 meeting.
