Auditor: St. Joseph County approves Before Time attendance contract subject to Indiana law negotiation

St. Joseph County’s auditor recommended the board approve a contract to replace the county’s expiring timekeeping system and the board voted to approve the contract Nov. 6, subject to the auditor negotiating choice-of-law and related terms with the vendor.

John Butler of the auditor’s office said the county’s current timekeeping system is "reaching its end of life" and that the vendor has informed the county it will "no longer service what we currently have as of December 31, 2025." After reviewing several options, Butler recommended the county contract with Before Time (referred to in the meeting as "Before Time attendance solutions"). He said the county is already established with that vendor in three departments and that staff are "somewhat familiar with its setup." Butler: "We would like approval of this so we can begin going forward."

County counsel reviewed the contract and recommended approval "subject to mister Butler's ability to negotiate application of Indiana law," noting the draft specified Michigan law and a one-year timeframe for filing claims. Butler told the board he has "begun reaching out to their legal to start that process."

On costs, Butler said the new system "will be more uniform for 1, and it will be greatly cost effective" and gave a high-end estimate for the program of "around $55,000 a month or for the, annual cost." He also stated the county’s "current annual cost is, between 109 to 114,000 annually." The board approved the contract and addendum unanimously with the condition that Butler negotiate Indiana-law application and related terms.

The auditor’s office will continue negotiations with the vendor’s legal team and proceed with implementation once contract language is finalized. The board did not record public comment on this item.