Bonner County commissioners took a first step this week toward potentially revising how hourly employees are compensated for working holidays, voting unanimously to direct Human Resources to consult with affected staff across three departments before any policy changes are made.
The motion, brought forward by Commissioner Asia Williams during a Tuesday business meeting held via Zoom, came after multiple county employees reached out to Williams directly about what they described as inequities in the current holiday pay structure. The board approved the measure with two commissioners present; Commissioner Brian Domke was absent.
How the Current Policy Works
Under the existing framework, hourly employees who work on a county-designated holiday receive their regular straight-time pay plus an additional eight hours of holiday pay. Time-and-a-half only kicks in if the employee has already crossed the 40-hour threshold for that workweek. For employees in departments like the Sheriff’s Office, Road and Bridge, and the county dispatch center — where holiday scheduling is not optional — that structure has drawn growing frustration.
Williams proposed replacing that system with a straightforward standard: any hourly employee required to work a holiday would receive time-and-a-half for all hours worked on that day, regardless of their weekly total. The change would apply to staff who have no choice but to report while most county offices are closed and most residents are off work.
Department Leaders Voice Support for Change
Several department officials spoke in favor of revisiting the policy during the meeting. Sheriff Darryl Wheeler argued that public safety employees deserve recognition for their sacrifice. “Every dispatcher, detention, and patrol deputy should be rewarded for that holiday pay and the time away from their families that the rest of the county employees benefit from,” Wheeler said.
Road and Bridge Director Jason Topp also backed the proposal, saying of his crew, “These guys, they deserve it. They work their butts off to try and keep the public safe. They’re out there when most people aren’t.” Topp additionally suggested the county hold a formal workshop to work through the details before any formal change is adopted.
Sergeant Levi Sheill of the Sheriff’s Office likewise expressed support for revising the current structure.
Commissioner Korn Urges a Measured Approach
Commissioner Ron Korn did not oppose sending the question to Human Resources but pushed back on making any direct policy changes without a broader review. Korn also noted that any revisions affecting hourly employees would need to be weighed alongside a separate review for salaried staff to ensure fairness across county departments.
His caution reflects the practical complexity of adjusting compensation policy for public employees, where changes can carry significant budget implications and may affect collective bargaining or personnel agreements. The unanimous vote to engage HR in consultations with the Sheriff’s Office, Road and Bridge, and dispatch staff is a preliminary step, not a commitment to change.
As of the time of publication, no formal changes to the holiday pay policy had been approved by the board.
What Comes Next
Human Resources will now begin working with representatives from the three affected departments to gather input and assess what a revised policy might look like. Road and Bridge’s suggestion of a dedicated workshop may shape the process, giving frontline employees and supervisors a structured venue to present their concerns before commissioners vote on any change.
The broader question of how Bonner County compensates essential workers who cannot take holidays off is one that touches on both fiscal responsibility and fair treatment of public servants. With budget pressures facing counties across North Idaho — the Panhandle Health District recently faced pushback on its own budget proposal from its five-county board — any expansion of overtime or premium pay will likely face scrutiny during the county’s next budget cycle.
Commissioners are expected to revisit the holiday pay question once HR completes its consultation with department staff and returns findings to the board for further discussion.