The issue of pay periods and paychecks was back up for discussion again at this (Monday) morning’s Carroll County Board of Supervisors meeting. Since at least December, the board has been considering ways to change the county’s payroll system to correct issues identified by the State Auditor’s Office. Under the current approach, employees are paid on the final day of the pay period rather than a pay period behind, which can lead to accounting issues. The supervisors previously indicated they planned to change to paying in arrears on July 1 but never formally approved the move. While total compensation is not affected, it would cause employees to miss their first paycheck of the month. County Auditor Kourtney Payer says she believes there is no longer enough time to put the change in place by the start of Fiscal Year (FY) 2024.
Previously, the supervisors had discussed splitting July’s first-period paycheck into two payments so that staff would at least have some form of cash flow to cover bills due earlier in the month. However, it still leaves employees at half their monthly income in July. Payer suggested delaying the move to the start of FY25.
Payer adds the move would also require them to overhaul the county’s payroll processing system in addition to the issue of employees going nearly a month without a paycheck. Board Chair Stephanie Hausman says the shift will be difficult regardless of when it happens, but it needs to happen eventually.
The issue of payroll processing will return for discussion during next week’s Carroll County Board of Supervisors meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at the Carroll County courthouse.
