Osage County Commission votes to move to biweekly pay schedule, effective July 1

The Osage County Commission voted May 13 to switch the county’s payroll calendar to a biweekly schedule, with the change to take effect July 1, 2025. Commissioners approved the motion by voice vote; all three commissioners present voted in favor.

Commissioners and staff told the meeting the biweekly schedule will standardize payday timing, make administrative approvals more regular and give payroll staff more frequent, predictable processing cycles. County Clerk Michelle Morris said the proposed schedule “answers Heather’s concerns to a t,” referring to an earlier question about approvals and timing.

During the discussion, staff identified implementation details that must be addressed before the first biweekly paycheck is issued. The county expects the first full biweekly paycheck under the new schedule to fall in mid‑July (the commission discussed July 11 as the practical first biweekly payday). Commissioners asked that leave and benefit accrual language in the employee handbook be reviewed and aligned with the new payroll cadence so accruals convert properly from the prior monthly/semimonthly practice.

The commission directed staff to notify employees and to return to the commission with final handbook language, benefit‑accrual rules and enrollment timing for the county health plan. Commissioners said they wanted at least several weeks’ notice to employees to update direct‑deposit and other payroll arrangements.

No changes to employee benefit levels were finalized at the May 13 meeting; commissioners discussed splitting paid time off into separate sick and vacation accruals and reviewing health insurance options as part of a package to be decided in the coming weeks.