Board approves temporary Workday exemptions and appoints acting county auditor effective Jan. 1

The Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners approved temporary HR policy exemptions and a short‑term personnel appointment during its Dec. 29 meeting to support the county’s Workday implementation and year‑end transitions.

HR and risk manager Josh Griffith asked for exceptions allowing Workday core team non‑represented employees to exceed the usual 40‑hour comp‑time cap and to carry over vacation beyond the standard 90‑day limit because the ERP implementation requires extended hours and continuity into 2026. Commissioners supported the request and amended the exemption language so that the board (not the clerk) designates the Workday core team designees. The motion carried 3‑0.

Separately, the board approved several job description changes and work‑hour adjustments (including reducing certain accounting positions from 40 to 33 hours and changing a public‑works lead foreman to a road maintenance manager with a grade increase). Treasurer Gordon Heimringer explained coordinated lunch‑hour closures and signage plans to manage public expectations after hour adjustments.

To maintain operations when the incoming auditor’s office transitions and to support Workday setup, the board appointed Jessica Murph as acting county auditor, effective Jan. 1, 2026, pursuant to RCW 36.16.115, until a permanent appointment is made. Commissioners discussed separation of duties in Workday approvals and directed staff to formalize interim cost‑center manager signoffs to preserve internal controls. The appointment passed 3‑0.

Next steps: HR will implement the exemptions and monitor comp‑time usage; staff will bring a formal cost‑center manager plan to the board and the auditor will finalize Workday permissions and separation‑of‑duty processes.