The Kinston City Council passed two motions on Monday evening declaring two additional paid holidays for city staff. The first motion makes General Election Day a paid holiday, falling this year on Tuesday, November 3. The second motion creates Juneteenth as a paid city holiday backdating to June 19, 2020.

Councilmember Kristal Suggs made a motion that November General Election day each year be a city holiday.

“Definitely this year, reiterating the importance of the fact that we are acknowledging that we are in a pandemic and we want to make sure that our employees and staff have access to the polls,” said Suggs. “Regardless of the fact that we have early elections, that we have mail-in ballots, some people really choose to vote on November 3rd.”

After the motion was made and seconded, Councilmember Sammy Aiken said, “For the public’s information, this is not costing the city any extra money.” Then he followed up with the question, “Is that correct?”

“That’s correct, Mr. Aiken,” said Mayor Don Hardy.

“That’s correct,” said City Manager Tony Sears who confirmed outside of the meeting that the date would be a paid holiday for city employees.

Mayor Don Hardy issued a proclamation declaring June 19 or Juneteenth as a city holiday starting with June 19, 2020. The motion was made by Councilmember Antonio Hardy and passed unanimously.

“Mr. Mayor, the City of Asheville was the first city to implement this proclamation as a paid holiday for its workers?” asked Aiken.

Mayor Hardy confirmed.