Mid City Times

City staff in Fort Worth, Texas, have announced plans to implement a new payroll software package in order to streamline the process of calculating pay for police officers and firefighters. The software, which will be tested in the coming months, aims to improve efficiency and eliminate errors in the payroll system.

The decision to invest in the new software comes after years of payroll issues that resulted in some first responders being over- or under-paid. In September 2021, the City Council approved the hiring of consultants Ultimate Kronos Group (UKG) to address these issues and simplify the complex staffing and payroll rules used to determine pay.

Speaking about the new payroll software, a city staff member stated, "The goal is to reduce payroll process time and automate the payroll system, which still involves a good deal of time-consuming manual input." The software will leverage UKG's proprietary technology and expertise to ensure accurate calculations and reduce the need for manual intervention.

The testing phase of the software will begin soon, and the City Council will vote on the approval of the project's reallocation of funds in the upcoming meeting. If the testing is successful, further software development will be pursued, which will add to the overall project costs.

While staff initially estimated that all the payroll issues would be resolved by 2023, new challenges have continued to arise. If the software development continues, completion dates for the fire department's payroll will be set for May 2025, and for the police department's payroll, September 2025.

Implementing the new payroll software is seen as a crucial step in ensuring the accurate and timely payment of Fort Worth's first responders. By automating processes and eliminating manual input, the software will not only improve the accuracy of pay calculations but also save valuable time for both city staff and first responders.

In conclusion, the new payroll software package being tested in Fort Worth aims to address long-standing payroll issues for police officers and firefighters. By leveraging innovative technology and expertise, the software is expected to improve accuracy and efficiency in calculating pay for first responders. If successful, the software development will continue, with completion dates projected for 2025. This investment in the payroll system reflects the City's commitment to ensuring that its first responders are paid accurately and on time.