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County to expand Health & Human Services space, simplify volunteer access and roll out new HR/payroll systems
Summary
County leaders said Health and Human Services will be prioritized in a facilities space-needs study, the county will simplify volunteer application requirements after a 15-page form and age limits were flagged, and the organization will deploy a new HR/payroll system and timekeeping tools.
County Manager Lance Metzler told commissioners that results of a space-needs study will be shifted so Health and Human Services (HHS) is evaluated for expansion ahead of administrative growth, citing faster programmatic growth at HHS driven by Medicaid and other programs.
Metzler said staff had previously obtained commissioner approval to examine space needs for the governmental center and that the facilities committee recommended prioritizing HHS. "We thought that it would be better and more advantageous for health and human services to expand rather than this side expand," Metzler said.
Volunteer and internships: Several commissioners raised concerns that volunteer application processes were too onerous for high-school students (one department had a 15-page application and an 18-year minimum). Commissioners asked staff to simplify the process for youth volunteers and internships; Metzler said the county is "straightening that out" and staff indicated those waivers would be considered for specific cases.
Software and efficiency: Metzler and Derek Southern reviewed planned software improvements. The county will replace the Patagonia patient-management system with Athena in health services; implement a consolidated HR and payroll platform with associated timekeeping software; and standardize timekeeping across departments so staff enter time electronically rather than on paper time sheets. Southern said timekeeping rollout is planned for late spring ahead of a July 1 payroll go-live.
Courthouse needs: Metzler said the county will request an allocation (he cited roughly $22,000) to complete a courthouse needs analysis; he described the courthouse as already constrained and said multiple functions are requesting more space.
Why it matters: Prioritizing HHS space reflects program growth and service demand. Simplifying volunteer access and expanding internships aims to increase youth workforce pathways and local engagement. New software is expected to reduce manual processes and improve payroll and HR accuracy.
Process notes: Commissioners suggested a small-business "shop local" pamphlet be developed for county promotion and asked staff to ensure county departments purchase locally when feasible. Metzler and staff said departments will be encouraged to prioritize local vendors within procurement rules.
Ending: Staff will follow up with a revised volunteer application process, timelines for software training and implementation, and a courthouse needs-analysis request for the board's review.
