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Commissioners press staff for more data on $72,000-a-year payroll/timekeeping proposal
Summary
County staff proposed a three-phase payroll and timekeeping upgrade that would cost roughly $72,008 annually at full implementation; commissioners asked for more vendor references, departmental impact analysis, and cost comparisons before approving any recurring expense.
Surry County staff presented a multi-phase plan to modernize payroll forms, give employees online access to pay documents, and add a timekeeping system that would allow mobile clock-in and geolocation.
Assistant county manager described the plan as three phases: TCM forms ($8,100 one-time), employee self-service (approximately $16,200 one-time plus $19,000 annual), and a UKG timekeeping system (one-time $12,000 plus annual $53,760). Staff summarized the combined recurring annual cost at roughly $72,007.60 if the county implements all phases.
Commissioners pressed staff on timing and cost. Some members said the first phase (TCM forms) and employee access could be useful and might pay for themselves through reduced printing and staff time, but they expressed concern about approving a system with a large recurring charge without more benchmarking. Commissioners recommended staff gather additional references from similarly sized counties, map which departments would rely on the system, and produce a clearer cost-savings analysis before moving forward. The presenters said some counties had mixed experiences with alternate vendors and that UKG includes features such as geolocation to help validate clock-ins.
No final vote was taken; several commissioners suggested the item be revisited during the budget process or at a board retreat after staff returns with more cost-comparison data.
