Cumberland County Board approves two extra year-end holidays, discusses $500/$250 staff bonuses

The Cumberland County Board of Supervisors approved granting county employees two additional year-end days off — Thursday, Dec. 26, and Friday, Dec. 27 — in addition to state-recognized holidays.

County staff presented the proposal during the board’s regular meeting, saying the extra days were intended to recognize staff and to incentivize performance. "Due to the recognition of all the hard work and dedication of county staff, we recommend granting full days off for Thursday, December 26, and Friday, December 27," said Speaker 3, a county staff presenter.

The board also considered a one-time holiday bonus proposal. Speaker 3 said the board was being asked to authorize $500 bonuses for full-time employees and $250 for part-time employees who are in good standing and employed by the county on Nov. 1, 2024. "The overall fiscal impact of the county is approximately $38,200," Speaker 3 said.

Board members discussed the proposal briefly during the meeting. Speaker 3 framed the items as not merely giveaways but as modest incentives tied to performance in a small locality where many employees wear multiple hats. The transcript records 'Aye' votes from two members during the roll call recorded in the excerpt; the board appeared to move forward with the holiday schedule.

What’s next: staff will implement the approved holiday schedule for the county’s pay/leave system; any formal action on the holiday bonus had been presented for consideration during the meeting and will be reflected in subsequent minutes or follow-up motions if the board votes separately to finalize the payout.