Trustees authorize up to $117,000 for 12‑month payroll and finance consulting to bridge staffing gap

Town staff told trustees on June 9 that the departure of an assistant finance director has left the finance office without sufficient redundancy to reliably process payroll and complete year‑end and audit work. To avoid interruptions to payroll and to obtain a consultant review of finance procedures, staff recommended a 12‑month professional services agreement with Cassell, the town’s current payroll and time‑software provider, for operational continuity and a process review.

The town manager described the contract as an interim measure to ensure accurate, timely payroll while staff refine job descriptions and recruit for a revised HR/finance position. "I don't see another great path to be... this will bridge that gap and get us there without having the stomach ache and worrying about payroll being processed every two weeks appropriately," the town manager said.

Trustees discussed the cost and noted salary savings in the current budget could cover the expense without mid‑year supplemental appropriation. They also asked staff to use the consultant period to document streamlined processes and then return for a discussion about whether payroll should continue to be outsourced or brought back in‑house. Trustees voted unanimously to approve the contract not to exceed $117,000.

The agreement authorizes Cassell to provide payroll processing support, review and documentation of internal controls and processes and recommendations for longer‑term staffing and operational structure. Staff said they will evaluate the contract well before the 12‑month term ends and will present options to the board about ongoing service vs. in‑house staffing.