Skip to content

City employees to get extra paid day off in place of raises next year

City council this week gave preliminary approval to granting employees an additional paid floating holiday, rather than a pay boost. The additional floating holiday would be a one-time benefit for 2021.
2020_08_17_LL_longmont_council_chambers
Photo by Macie May

City employees will get a paid day off rather than a pay raise this fiscal year because of budget constraints brought on by COVID-19.

City council this week gave preliminary approval to granting employees an additional paid floating holiday, rather than a pay boost. The additional floating holiday would be a one-time benefit for 2021 and would come with minimal cost to the city, according to a staff report.

City staff members would be permitted to use this additional floating holiday at their discretion with the approval of their supervisor, the report states. 

“In that way, there will be no impact on the delivery of city services to the community,” the report states. “Staff would be able to enjoy an additional day with their family and friends.”

“The city encourages employee well being and work-life balance,” the report states. “One way to achieve that goal is by providing additional paid leave.”

Longmont’s $371.9 million budget for 2021 did not come with boosts in service levels because of the impact of COVID-19 and a weakened economy, City Manager Harold Dominguez said in his budget presentation to council earlier this year.

The city may review salaries later this year as Longmont’s financial standing becomes clearer, the staff report states.