Zion council approves bank accounts, Paylocity modules and consulting help for finance

The Zion City Council on Feb. 17 approved a package of routine administrative and financial items aimed at strengthening municipal operations.

Director Wellendorf asked the council to open four new TIF accounts at Old Second National Bank to secure higher interest rates (quoted at about 2.74% on TIF funds). Ted Cook, vice president of commercial banking at Old Second, introduced himself and answered questions about the accounts. The council approved opening the accounts by motion and roll call.

Wellendorf also described a Paylocity software purchase to add two HR/payroll modules intended to reduce duplicate data entry and streamline tax reporting; the upgrade would raise software fees from $9.15 to $16.85 per employee. She said the modules would be targeted to go live for the first payroll of fiscal year 2027 (May 8, 2026). The council approved the purchase.

Because a finance department accounting technician recently resigned, the council approved a consulting agreement with Dearborn LaSalle Advisors (Bill Gray and team) to help with journal entries and reconciliations while hiring proceeds. Separately, council approved an engagement to retain retired city finance employee Kathleen Taylor part time to maintain water billing, shut-offs and onboarding support.

Why it matters: Council said these approvals are intended to shore up the finance department, improve payroll and reporting accuracy, and avoid service disruptions during staffing transitions. The Paylocity fees and consultant costs were presented as cost-effective compared with the staff time saved.

Next steps: Staff will implement the bank account transfers, schedule the Paylocity rollout for May 8, 2026 payroll, and begin consultant support and the temporary engagement contract immediately.