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Payroll software problems draw public criticism; commissioners call executive session on related legal matters
Summary
Residents and commissioners raised payroll problems after a new payroll system rollout; commissioners reported hundreds of employee tickets and ongoing corrections, and the board approved an executive session to receive legal advice on labor complaints, Department of Labor matters and workday contracts.
Pueblo County commissioners addressed a cascade of payroll problems tied to a new payroll system and moved into an executive session on Feb. 6 to get legal advice on related labor and contract issues.
A public commenter, Elvis Martinez, told the board he was "mad" to learn that sheriff's office employees had paychecks cut after the new payroll system rollout and asked why county leaders had not issued a joint public statement. Martinez also asked whether the payroll glitch affected other departments, raised questions about transparency in voter registration and requested information about appointments to a community services advisory committee.
Commissioners and county staff responded at length during commissioner comments. Commissioner Zach Swearingen said the problem affected the sheriff's office most heavily and that payroll staff and the county manager have been actively working the issue. Swearingen said staff had opened roughly 102to107 support tickets and that 57 of those had been completed by noon on a recent day; he said the county was cutting checks to address discrepancies and that he would take responsibility for the issue publicly.
Commissioner Miles Lucero thanked staff and described outreach to district employees and neighboring counties for technical information. Lucero also used his remarks to outline concerns about potential school closures in District 70 tied to a projected $1 billion state budget shortfall; he urged residents to contact state legislators to seek full funding for education.
During the meeting the board approved a motion to enter executive session so the commissioners could receive legal advice and discuss positions related to negotiations. County counsel cited Colorado statute for executive-session authority and listed specific legal matters to be discussed: labor-practice complaints filed by the International Brotherhood of Police Officers against the Pueblo County sheriff (Department of Labor complaint numbers 0021-24, 3727-24 and 4535-24), a judicial-review complaint tied to complaint number 0021-24 and Denver District Court case number 2024 CV 033741, holiday and overtime stacking for nonexempt employees, potential liability tied to elected officials' involvement in personnel matters, legal advice regarding Workday contracts and employee pay, and negotiation strategy related to the law firm Semple Farrington Eberl & Case and an IGA for the community services advisory commission.
A motion to go into executive session for the stated legal reasons was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.
