Retirement board to explore pension administration software; vendor costs and funding questions raised

Patrick Straub described a push to modernize retirement administration to reduce manual handoffs, lower error risk and give participants 24/7 access to illustrative and final estimates. He said the board and staff had seen three demos and that vendors typically propose a one‑time implementation fee, a data‑transfer charge, and ongoing maintenance.

As an example, Straub read an illustrative figure aloud: ‘‘I have $1,313,500 and 15,000 to transfer the data to set up to add all the customization to do the staff training and the administrative, training.’’ The transcript text and phrasing were unclear; board members asked whether the motion to investigate vendors included any decision about how the software would be funded. Straub and other board members repeatedly clarified the motion was for information‑gathering only and did not commit retirement funds.

A motion directing the chief clerk and the board of commissioners to explore software vendors, pricing and the feasibility of implementation (with the expectation of reconvening and considering a decision by January 2027) was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. Board members requested more detailed cost breakdowns and clarity on whether the retirement account or the county budget would pay for implementation if they later chose to proceed.