Atascosa County moves to biweekly pay, rescinds one-time transition payment and approves 2025 pay schedule

Atascosa County Commissioners on Thursday reviewed a staff presentation on switching county payroll from a monthly to a biweekly schedule and approved several actions to finalize the transition.

County staff told the court the change is prompted by an upcoming expiration of the county's payroll software, NetData, in April 2025 and a county decision to move to new payroll software. A presenter said the new system will display PTO and benefit accruals on pay stubs and provide employees access to earnings every two weeks rather than once a month.

The presenter said the county began preparing for the switch last July and started a transition period on Oct. 1. For most employees the county prorated remaining 2024 pay across the remaining pay periods to calculate biweekly amounts. Staff said that approach does not apply to employees hired after January 2024, employees who took leave without pay in 2024, or employees who received pay increases in 2024; for those workers the county used the last two months' pay divided by five to set biweekly amounts.

County Auditor Tracy Brerere confirmed payroll taxes and retirement contributions will be deducted as required and clarified that in the two months each year when a biweekly schedule produces three paychecks (staff noted January and August for 2025), insurance deductions will not be taken from the third paycheck — only payroll taxes and any child support. Staff agreed to add that clarification to materials distributed to employees.

On a formal action, the court rescinded an earlier authorization of a one‑time payment equal to one week's pay per employee that had been approved as item 20 on Nov. 12, 2024. Commissioner Bowen moved to rescind the authorization; Commissioner Perez seconded. The chair called for a voice vote and stated the motion carried.

The court then approved the 2025 pay calendar, adopting a 26‑pay‑period biweekly schedule. Commissioner Pettis moved to approve the pay dates as presented; Commissioner Riley seconded and the motion passed on a voice vote. Staff noted where the three‑paycheck months fall and said the schedule will be emailed and included on employee pay stubs.

Finally, the court voted to amend the 2025 Commissioner's Court meeting schedule to correct an omitted date. Commissioner Bowen moved to amend the schedule; Commissioner Riley seconded and the motion carried.

Judge and commissioners acknowledged the transition has been time‑consuming and said staff will continue to correct errors as they appear. The court said it expects employees’ 2024 earnings to be fully reconciled and paid by Jan. 17, 2025, and encouraged employees to check W‑4 withholding and approve time in the TCP system promptly to avoid calculation issues.

Votes at a glance: - Rescind one‑time transition payment (item 20): motion to rescind made by Commissioner Bowen; seconded by Commissioner Perez; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approve 2025 pay dates (26 biweekly pay periods): motion made by Commissioner Pettis; seconded by Commissioner Riley; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Amend 2025 Commissioner's Court meeting schedule: motion made by Commissioner Bowen; seconded by Commissioner Riley; outcome: approved (voice vote).

What happens next: Staff will finalize the informational packet and distribute the pay calendar to employees; employees were advised to review their W‑4s, monitor their pay stubs for PTO and deduction entries, and report any discrepancies to the auditor's or treasurer's office so corrections can be made before the January 2025 settlement date.

Sources: Presentation and discussion during the Atascosa County Commissioners Court workshop, Nov. 2024 (staff presentation, county auditor comments, and commissioner motions).