Griggs County moves to implement electronic timekeeping module already included in payroll package

County staff said the county will implement a timekeeping module already included in its existing payroll software to replace paper time cards and manual entry.

Sam, the county payroll staff member, told commissioners the module is part of the payroll package the county already paid for and that activating it would add no additional software cost. Sam said department heads would review and approve employee punches before payroll is processed, and that the system would automatically import approved time into payroll software.

"Staff are able to log on the website and receive their payroll stubs. They can look at their vacation. They're sick. They can look at their time punches so that they can see where they are," Sam said, describing features the module will provide.

County staff said the module supports multiple entry methods: a wall-mounted iPad in the county shop for employees who report to the shop, and a mobile app for employees who start shifts from home. Wayne, a county shop staff member, raised concerns about how township billing and the shop's handwritten job details would interface with the timekeeping system; staff clarified that the billing details used to invoice townships would continue to be completed by hand and that the timekeeping module is intended for payroll only.

Staff acknowledged connectivity and training issues to work through — for example, inconsistent in-building Wi-Fi and cell service in some locations — and said supervisors can manually edit punches if employees forget to clock in or out. County staff said they expect the system to be ready for use near the start of the next payroll cycle or by Oct. 1 as a conservative start date; commissioners expressed general support and no further formal motion or vote was recorded for implementation during this meeting.

Implementation tasks include: final configuration of user access, supervisor review workflows, training for department heads and employees, and arranging an iPad or kiosk for shop check-ins. Staff said the vendor is setting up the county’s account and that the county will pilot the system and bring problems back to the commission if changes are needed.