Commissioners approve ERP change‑management change order after divided debate; vote 2‑1

The Walla Walla County Board of County Commissioners voted 2‑1 to authorize the chair to sign Change Order No. 1 for ERP software implementation project‑management oversight and change‑management services.

Chad (county project staff) told the board the work would provide focused change management over an 18‑month rollout and emphasized the need for a single, consistent message to county employees as the county implements a new Workday‑based enterprise resource planning system. He said the consultant under the change order is Prosci‑certified and that the shape of the work includes training and messaging to county staff and leaders. “Cherish is Prosci certified,” Chad said.

Cost, contingency and staffing dominated the commissioners’ questions. Chad told the board that the consultant option proposed was cheaper than an alternative through Cognizant, which he said would have cost roughly $500,000; the scaled‑down option under consideration was…