Commissioners request finance committee consider up to $4 million loan for county ERP project

Walla Walla County commissioners on April 7 voted 3-0 to ask the county Finance Committee to consider a loan for up to $4 million to support the county’s multi-year enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation.

Commissioner Todd Kimball and staff described the ERP as a long-term modernization of the county’s core financial and administrative systems that will take years to complete. The requested loan would act as a financing vehicle across the ERP’s implementation horizon — potentially up to a decade — to cover contract integrations, change orders and other costs that remain uncertain in the vendor negotiation stage.

Commissioners discussed a proposed ceiling; staff said the $4 million figure is a conservative “ceiling” meant to provide a cushion in case contracts or integrations require additional funds during the 10-year period. The finance committee — comprised of county officials including the treasurer and auditor — will review financing terms, interest rate scenarios and recommended loan amounts. Commissioners said the committee could approve a lower loan amount if warranted.

Treasurer Gordon Heimbigner told the board he will present the formal request to finance committee chair for scheduling a public meeting; that committee will recommend loan terms back to the full board. Commissioner Kimball asked that the committee consider the county’s investment position and how much borrowing will be needed; commissioners agreed the loan request should be pursued and voted to approve asking the finance committee to evaluate up to $4 million.

Board direction: Clerk to forward the formal request to Finance Committee chair so a committee meeting can be scheduled. The board approved the motion to request the loan consideration by a vote of 3-0.