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Commission amends county holiday language to clarify office closures for Juneteenth and Heritage Day
Summary
The commission moved to amend its holiday resolution to specify which county offices must remain open under Montana law; County Attorney Morgan Smith clarified Juneteenth is a federal holiday but state statute controls which offices may close.
Chair Kevin Hart presented Resolution No. 26‑07 to amend the county's previously adopted holiday list to clarify operations on county‑only holidays, specifically Juneteenth (June 19) and Heritage Day (Nov. 27). Hart said the amendment adjusts language so county offices identified in Montana Code remain open on days that are not recognized as state holidays.
County Attorney Morgan Smith explained the interplay between federal recognition and state law: "Juneteenth is a recognized Federal holiday as well, so we refer to it as only an Anaconda‑Deer Lodge County holiday, but Montana Code adopts only State holidays and otherwise indicates these offices must be open unless it's an accepted State holiday." Smith also noted law enforcement functions are historically excluded from office‑closure rules because those services must remain operational.
The item was presented as an amendment to ensure compliance with Montana Code Annotated 7‑4‑2211 and to clarify departmental schedules on county‑only holidays. No public comment was offered during the presentation.
