Hoschton City staff presented proposed changes to the personnel policy and a recommended revision to the city’s meeting schedule.

On personnel policy, staff proposed adding holidays (staff cited Presidents' Day and Columbus Day among requested additions) that would increase the city’s list of recognized holidays; staff estimated the change would move the count from the current eight holidays to about eleven days recognized, based on staff preferences. Councilmembers questioned how additional holidays would affect shift workers such as police officers; Chief Hill answered that officers are paid for hours worked and receive additional pay when working on holidays.

Staff also proposed a discretionary cash‑out policy for accrued time to be used sparingly and on a case‑by‑case basis at the city manager’s discretion, citing an example of an employee with health needs who required cashing out time. Staff said the cash‑out would remain within budget.

Separately, staff recommended consolidating work session, regular session, planning and zoning, Downtown Development Authority, municipal court and historic preservation meetings to Thursday evenings to reduce additional nights for staff and consultants. Staff noted the city attorney is generally available only on the second Thursday and the planner requested the third Thursday for planning and zoning business. Councilmembers raised concerns that consolidating meetings could diminish public input if members were not present for discussion before votes; staff and others emphasized that tabling items remains an available procedural option and noted code limits on tabling frequency. The city bills the attorney hourly; staff said the budget includes funds for the attorney’s attendance if needed.

No final adoption of the personnel amendments or the meeting schedule change appears in the transcript; staff indicated the council would vote next Thursday.