WICOMICO COUNTY COUNCIL DEBATE: SHOULD WICOMICO COUNTY EMPLOYEES GET TWO EXTRA HOLIDAYS

Wicomico County, MD - In the heart of Wicomico County, a spirited debate unfolded in yesterday's Wicomico County County Council Meeting over a seemingly simple, yet personally significant issue that touched the lives of every county employee and spoke to the financial pulse of the local government. The debate revolved around Resolution 20-2024, a proposal that would dictate additional dates of official holidays for county employees in 2024. The stakes were high for both supporters and detractors, as the decision could impact employee morale, budgetary considerations, and the delicate work-life balance that so many strive to achieve.

Historically, July 5^th and Christmas Eve had not been designated as "official" holidays, yet have often been celebrated as such. Many people over the years, myself included, have sort of mended Christmas Eve as part of the Christmas holiday, to spend time with their family and friends.  This proposal, Resolution 20-2024, would codify this practice, potentially leading to a much-needed boost in staff morale and a show of appreciation or, according to opponents, a wasted expense on the county. 

With varying viewpoints and livelihoods to consider, the discussion became a platform for the airing of numerous perspectives. Each council member was present, either in the Council Chambers or via Zoom, except for Mrs. Shanie Shields who was not present.  Each council member chimed in with their opinion on the matter, as did Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano.  Giordano presented her request and the reasons for the request.  

Wicomico County Councilman Joe Holloway voiced his dissent, arguing against the added days off and the extra cost they bear. Meanwhile, Vice President Jeff Merritt offered a nuanced stance-somewhat in favor of the July 4^th extension, but adamantly objecting to Christmas Eve. Merritt agreed that the day after July 4^th should be a holiday, stating that it rests on a Friday, and it would make sense, however disagreed with Christmas Eve, due to the way it falls in the calendar. 

Wicomico County Council President John Cannon took a different approach, expressing a desire to preserve holidays while pushing back against the Christmas Eve proposal by insisting on the use of personal days. Cannon stated that the county employees can use their own personal days off if they wish to take off the extra day. 

On the opposite side of the fence, Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano rallied for the additional breaks, citing a decline in productivity on Christmas Eve and the need to affirm appreciation for county workers amid a financial climate that discouraged monetary raises. Giordano emphatically stated that she appreciates the county employees and what they do for Wicomico County, and felt this would be a good olive branch of sorts, to make up for not being able to fund raises and again, boost morale in the process. 

What Giordano was trying to express was the fact that when employees show up on Christmas Eve, as an example, they are less inclined to be productive and more inclined to be looking forward to spending time with their family, traveling to see friends and family, and just not as productive as they would be on a regular day.  Therefore, it would only make sense to give them the day off, as a holiday, and sort of boost their morale for not having to use their own personal time in the process. 

Giordano expressed the fact that she wants Wicomico County to be an employee-friendly atmosphere where people enjoy coming to work.  By offering the extra holidays, the day after July 4^th and Christmas Eve, she very well may achieve what she is attempting to accomplish. 

Councilman James Winn clarified the budgetary concerns, revealing that provisions were already in place for the extra holidays. The money for the holidays is already accounted for in the current budget, so it would not cost the taxpayers any additional money and would show appreciation for the hard-working county employees. 

Meanwhile, Councilman Shane Baker added a novel suggestion of floating holidays for employee usage at their discretion.  This option makes sense from one aspect as the employees could use them if they wished.  Councilman Baker, who also works for the Worcester County Sheriff's Office, stated that in Worcester County, employees are given 6 personal days to use at random, whereas Wicomico County employees are only afforded 2 personal days a year.  

Councilman Josh Hastings echoed the sentiment that the added holidays were well-deserved and that he felt should be approved. He agreed with Giordano and felt it was a good thing to do. 

It should be noted that Mrs. Shanie Shields was not present at the council meeting to give her opinion on the matter. 

Despite the range of ideas, the council decided to table the resolution, signaling the complexities and significance of the holiday decision.  More research and statistics will be provided to the council at the next work session. 

Welfare in the workplace is a multifaceted issue, and employee morale plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy work environment. It is a fact, that employees will work harder and accomplish more if morale is high! A day off might seem inconsequential in isolation, but it symbolizes a willingness to recognize the efforts of the staff and builds a work environment based on mutual respect.

For employees, the official acknowledgment of these days may resonate as a tangible demonstration of goodwill from the county.  Unfortunately, as per last night, it does not appear that some members of the council agree with the issuance of the days off. 

The holiday resolution transcends the individual days in question to embody the values and priorities of Wicomico County. It encapsulates a Wicomico County Executive striving to honor her employees with a day off while hoping to maintain morale and progress into the future.  Keep in mind, this will cost the taxpayers NOTHING. The money is already accounted for and in the budget, so we have to ask ourselves, is this truly an issue of holidays or is it once again, a flex of power on the side of the Wicomico County Council?  

The discourse on Resolution 20-2024 is much more than an exploration of holiday entitlements; it is a window into the intricate facets of local governance. We once again see the conflict that is currently taking place between the Wicomico County Council and the Wicomico County Executive. The Executive makes a recommendation and the Council shoots it down, time after time after time and the broken record just keeps repeating itself. 

In the continuing saga of Wicomico County and its dedication to progress, this narrative perpetuates a collective nod to the past, a deliberate step into the present, and a hopeful gaze toward the future. The holiday resolution serves not as a definitive endpoint, but as a mile-marker in the ongoing expedition of local governance-one that continuously weaves the threads of public trust, economic foresight, and employee satisfaction.