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LaGrange plans to add Juneteenth as an official paid holiday for city employees.

Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, marking the end of slavery in the United States. The day serves as a symbol of freedom and is celebrated by many Americans.

The issue was brought before the city council on April 8, during the morning work session by Councilwoman Darby Pippin.

Pippin said that when she was taking newly elected officials training, she took some time to review city ordinances and noticed the number of paid holidays for city staff was less than the state and nearby communities. She then reached out to City Manager Patrick Bowie and proposed that LaGrange add Juneteenth as a paid city holiday.

“I thought it would be a good year with our Sweetland Juneteenth concert that’ll be coming up,” Pippin said. 

Sweetland Amphitheatre recently announced that the Ceelo Green originally scheduled for May 2 has been cancelled and moved to June 19. Green will be joining Tyrese Gibson for a Juneteenth concert on the Sweetland stage.

Mayor Jim Arrington was immediately on board but the only question from the council was how it would affect the budget.

Bowie said the extra holiday would have little to no budgetary impact on the city.

“There will be a little overtime for folks that have to come in that are on call and that kind of thing. But other than that, it’s not going to have a cash impact on the city,” Bowie said.

Prior to the addition, the city previously had nine paid holidays compared to the county’s 12, Bowie said, noting the city is a little short competitively speaking.

“Most cities are 10 to 11. When I first started we got eight and a half. We got half a day on Christmas Eve. It was the most unproductive day ever, so they went ahead and gave us nine. We’ve been at nine for quite a while,” Bowie said.

A first reading of an ordinance to add Juneteenth as an official holiday was held during the subsequent evening regular council meeting. A second reading and vote are expected at the April 22 council meeting.