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Finance director outlines software upgrades, online transparency steps to meet state mandates
Summary
Finance Director Stewart told council the department is implementing a chart‑of‑accounts redesign, new budget software and an AP automation plan to meet state online payment and transparency requirements; staff requested a $10,000 Tyler PACE subscription to optimize the system.
Finance Director Mister Stewart briefed the council on the finance department’s priorities for the coming fiscal year, focusing on modernizing systems to improve transparency and reduce manual work.
“Some of those type programs that we want to see,” Stewart said, pointing to a chart‑of‑accounts redesign and a new budget software implementation that will allow easier public access to financial records. He said those projects are being staged so implementation costs that hit this fiscal year will decline in subsequent budgets.
Stewart highlighted the Tyler PACE program, a $10,000 line item that will bring vendor expertise to streamline existing Tyler Munis functions and ready the city for a public‑facing budget book. He also noted HB967, a state requirement to accept online payments, as a driver for AP automation and electronic payments.
City Manager Brian Benton added that monthly check registers and many credit‑card transactions are already posted on the city website, and staff will continue refining public presentation to meet forthcoming state formatting guidance.
Council and staff discussed timing: Stewart said a new chart‑of‑accounts conversion is scheduled for mid‑August, after which the budget software rollout can proceed toward a public-facing budget book and improved document search capabilities.
No action was taken; staff will return with implementation schedules and projected recurring costs for software renewals.
