Management and Performance Review of County Government ...

Assessment of the Finance and Business Functions
A fee study would analyze each of the services that utilize cost recovery and
determine the costs of the services. In addition, the study would survey surrounding
counties to ascertain their fees and fee structures, and to determine the competitiveness
of the fees in Jefferson County.
IMPLEMENTATION
The Budget Director should begin studying all fees charged by the county
departments and agencies, all costs associated with services that are under cost
recovery requirements or guidelines, and the amounts of fees charged by surrounding
counties. The fee study report should be delivered to the Commissioner’s Court by
October 1, 2005.
FISCAL IMPACT
This recommendation has no associated fiscal impact.
RECOMMENDATION 4-4:
Implement mandatory direct deposit payroll for all county employees and
purchase the latest updates for the HTE Sunguard FinancePLUS accounting
software.
Currently, direct deposit of payroll is not mandatory for all personnel. According to
the Auditor’s Office, 50 percent of the employees take advantage of direct deposit of
their paychecks. By converting all employees to a direct deposit payroll system, the
County would realize significant savings.
The National Automated Clearinghouse Association (NACHA) - The Electronic
Payments Association, states the benefits of direct deposit as:
‣ There are fewer checks to print and store;
‣ Facsimile signature security isn’t necessary with direct deposit since no
signatures are required;
‣ Lost and stolen checks are eliminated;
‣ Financial institution service charges are reduced. Typically, it costs
more to process a paper check through an entity’s bank account than a
direct deposit transaction;
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