Washington County payroll services to be outsourced
The move is intended to improve efficiency, but Larry Maggi has concerns about the decision.
By the MVI
A decision to outsource payroll processing services for Washington County government employees was met with concerns by one county commissioner.
During a meeting Thursday, the board of commissioners voted to request proposals for the county’s payroll services, an action that could remove these duties from the county controller’s office.
Commi s s i o n Chairman Nick Sherman stated that the move is part of a broader initiative to streamline government operations, reduce the size of county administration and deliver more efficient use of taxpayer dollars.
“Outsourcing payroll is a strategic decision that allows us to focus county resources on core services while tapping into the advanced technology and cost efficiencies the private sector can provide,” Sherman stated.
A formal Request for Proposals will be issued this week, inviting qualified private-sector firms to submit bids for providing comprehensive payroll services for county employees.
“We are committed to reducing the size of government and ensuring that every taxpayer dollar is used as efficiently and effectively as possible,” Sherman said.
Commissioner Larry Maggi expressed concerns about plans to outsource the county’s payroll services to a private business.
“I did vote yes to the RFP even though I have concerns about paying a private business to take over the county’s payroll services,” Maggi said. “However, anytime we have an opportunity to save taxpayers’ dollars and improve services, it’s worth looking at it. I am also concerned that we are doing this now, just three and a half months before a heated controller’s election.”
Acting Controller Heather Sheatler received enough write-in votes from Democrats in the May primary election to face Pat Phillips, who won the Republican nomination, for a rematch in the Nov. 4 general election.
Sheatler received 1,215 write-in votes in the Democratic primary on May 20. Candidates need at a minimum of 250 write-in votes to appear on the ballot. Sheatler ran as a Republican in the primary and finished behind Phillips, who received 3,982 votes compared to her 3,532.
Sheatler has served as the county’s acting controller since Oct. 1 after April Sloane, who was elected controller in 2021, pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty charges and agreed to resign from her row office position in September.
Maggi believes the vote is political because there haven’t been any issues with the way the controller’s office has managed payroll.
“The county has handled its payroll for the last 50 years without problems or issues, and at a minimal cost to the taxpayers,” he said. “Why weren’t there any concerns about payroll when the previous controller, who was forced to resign due to legal issues, was in office? Why are there concerns now, less than four months before the election?”
Sherman and Commissioner Electra Janis countered that the decision to outsource payroll is simply a smart fiscal move for the county.
By partnering with an experienced external provider, the county expects to reduce administrative overhead, minimize compliance risks, benefit from scalable systems and enhance reporting capabilities that meet the evolving needs of public service operations.
“By bringing in a payroll partner, we can modernize how we work, free up internal resources and ensure we’re delivering the best value for taxpayers” Janis stated. “This is about being more efficient, more accountable, and focused on the future.”
Maggi said he hopes to be included in future discussions pertaining to this issue.
“I’d like to see the numbers and determine for myself whether this will be beneficial to the taxpayers or whether it’s just a political move,” he said.
