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Report to Commission-Juneteenth Holiday
(Fiscal Impact: Unknown)
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(Staff Contact: Brian Donovan/Eddie Beecher)
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Summary Explanation/Background:
At the request of the City Commission, the staff has conducted a survey and research on Juneteenth which is celebrated on June 19th by many communities and organizations nationwide each year and commemorates the declaration of the abolition of slavery in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865. Although President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation became effective on January 1, 1863, the Civil War did not officially end until April 9, 1865. Due to the restrictions of communication at that time, many Texans were not aware of Lincoln's Proclamation and many African Americans remained enslaved. Juneteenth recognizes the day all remaining slaves were freed. It is often referred to as the Second Independence Day and is currently recognized in some capacity by 46 states and the District of Columbia as a holiday or official observance.
According to our survey, Deerfield Beach and the City of Tamarac have adopted Juneteenth as paid holidays (International Public Management Association for Human Resources Survey and exhibit 1 attached). In addition, the City of Pembroke Pines (see attached exhibit 2) has adopted Juneteenth as a day of celebration and a paid employee holiday while Broward County (exhibit 3 attached) took the following action in developing an awareness campaign for Juneteenth as well as a revenue neutral paid holiday. The Board also discussed making it a floating holiday to avoid closure of County services. Miami-Dade County also observes 6/19 of each year as a paid county holiday for non-bargaining employees (see exhibit 4, 5).
Payroll has calculated the estimated cost to the City for general employees (bargaining and non-bargaining) if Juneteenth is adopted as a paid holiday to be $180,318 for the day. Approximately 589 employees would be affected.
The City holidays, Article 16 f...
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