Lillian Rosa

Acting Human Resources & Administrative Services Director

Legislative Intent: On May 6, 2026, the City Commission passed the ordinance by a 5-0 vote.

Issue Statement:

The City of Oakland Park’s Civil Service Rules, as codified in Section 2-151 of the Code of Ordinances, establish the holidays observed by City employees and define how those holidays are recognized when they fall on weekends. Under the current Code, when a designated holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is automatically observed as the holiday for employees who do not normally work Saturdays. Similarly, when a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is automatically observed for employees who do not normally work Sundays.

While this framework has provided consistency in holiday observance, it does not allow for flexibility to accommodate operational needs or significant City events. As a result, the City may be constrained in its ability to align holiday observance with major community activities, service delivery considerations, or scheduling efficiencies.

The proposed amendment to Section 2-151 is intended to address this limitation by allowing the City Manager to designate the observed holiday as either the preceding Friday or the succeeding Monday when a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. This change maintains clarity in holiday designation while introducing necessary flexibility to better support City operations.

Additionally, this proposed modification is consistent with existing labor agreements, and labor representatives have reviewed the change and confirmed their concurrence.

Recommended Action:

Staff recommends the City Commission amend Section 2-151 of the Code of Ordinances, Holiday Leave, to authorize the City Manager to designate the observed holiday as either the preceding Friday or the succeeding Monday when a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday.

Background:

The following holidays are observed for City employees, unless such employees are required to be on duty: New Year’s Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and any additional days designated by the City Commission.

The proposed amendment to Section 2-151 is intended to address this limitation by allowing the City Manager to designate the observed holiday as either the preceding Friday or the succeeding Monday when a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. This change maintains clarity in holiday designation while introducing necessary flexibility to better support City operations. 

The proposed change to the ordinance is as follows:

The following holidays will be observed by the city's employees unless such employees are required to be on duty are: New Year's Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, and such other days as may be designated from time to time by the city commission. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday shall automatically be designated a holiday for employees who do not normally work on Saturdays. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall automatically be designated the holiday for those employees who do not normally work on Sundays. In the event a City-designated holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the holiday shall be observed on either the preceding Friday or the succeeding Monday, as determined by the City Manager.