Select board debates moving payday as staff cite processing constraints

Mount Vernon — The select board spent substantial time reviewing payroll submission and pay-date practices after staff described difficulties meeting a Wednesday pay date under current processing timelines.

Treasury staff explained existing policy: timesheets and invoices are due by 5 p.m. on the Friday before payday to allow for processing and check printing. Staff said external payroll services require 48 business hours for processing, and submitting at 5 p.m. on a Friday compresses the available correction window and can force weekend work. One board member recommended moving the official payday to Thursday or Friday and keeping the Friday cutoff to give staff more time for review.

Others cautioned that employees and vendors expect a consistent Wednesday payday; one member said, “I’m not understanding it and I won’t vote to change it from Wednesday.” The board discussed in-house check printing as a potential workaround but noted that signing warrants and ensuring required signatures prior to distribution remain a concern.

Staff also recommended increased use of direct deposit and improving communication about deadline compliance. The board did not adopt a final change at this meeting but directed staff to prepare details and to revisit the issue in a working session so that any shift in payday would allow adequate notice to employees and address warrant-signature timing.

What’s next: Staff to draft a recommendation that lays out processing timelines, a transition plan and employee notification requirements for board consideration.