A proposal to grant Stafford County employees additional holiday time around Thanksgiving and Christmas led to a heated debate among members of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors at their recent meeting. The proposal, which would give employees an additional four hours off before each holiday — effectively turning them into full days off — failed in a 3-3 tie, with one board member absent. The issue is set to be revisited at the next board meeting.
Supporters of the proposal argue that granting these extra hours shows appreciation for county employees and would boost morale. “Our employees work incredibly hard throughout the year, and this is a small gesture of thanks that can go a long way in showing them we value their efforts,” said Aquia Supervisor Monica Gary. “Taking care of our staff helps us retain talented people and makes Stafford County a more attractive place to work.”
The practice of granting these extra hours before Thanksgiving and Christmas has become a tradition over the past decade, though it has been approved on a year-by-year basis. Some board members said it would be beneficial to formalize the time off in the annual calendar to give employees and their families the ability to plan ahead. “By putting it on the calendar, we’re simply allowing staff to prepare and make plans,” said Chairwoman Meg Bohmke, a supporter of the proposal. “This is a way to be consistent and thoughtful toward our employees’ needs.”
However, not all supervisors agreed. Supervisor Crystal Vanuch raised concerns over the cost, estimating the extra time would cost the county around $100,000. “Every dollar we spend is a dollar our residents have to contribute, especially when we’ve raised taxes over the past few years,” said Vanuch. “If we’re going to allocate funds, we need to prioritize initiatives that will have the greatest impact on our residents.”
Other supervisors suggested that the additional time off might inconvenience the public. Garrisonville Supervisor Pamela Yeung voiced her concerns that closing county offices could create a burden for residents needing services during these busy holiday periods. “When we close offices on days many people have off work, it limits their ability to handle important county business, which could create frustrations,” said Yeung.
An additional layer of tension came as some supervisors raised potential conflicts of interest. Two board members, both sheriff’s deputies, would personally benefit from the extra holiday time. Bohmke acknowledged this issue, noting, “I think it’s important to consider whether there’s a conflict when board members stand to benefit directly from the decisions we’re making.” However, both deputies defended their votes, stating they were motivated solely by what they felt was best for county employees and were not voting for personal gain.
“Being a public servant isn’t just a job; it’s about dedication to our community,” said George Washington District Supervisor Deuntay Diggs, one of the deputies. “We’re simply supporting our staff, and if that means allowing them some extra time off around the holidays, I believe it’s the right thing to do.”
In the end, the board split on the vote, with three supervisors in favor of the proposal and three opposed, resulting in a tie and temporary failure of the motion. According to board rules, the proposal will return for consideration at the next meeting, where the absent board member’s vote could tip the balance.
“It’s not an easy decision,” said Bohmke. “We’re balancing the needs of our employees with those of our taxpayers, and it’s important that we get this right.”
