The City has been operating without a first level supervisor in the payroll unit to oversee the day-to-day operations and activities.  As part of an effort to ensure the accuracy and smooth operation of the City’s payroll, a request was made by the Finance Director to evaluate the current payroll unit’s lead position.  

Currently, the payroll unit is supervised by a Senior Accountant, and previously by an Accounting Supervisor, who also supervises other accounting areas.  There is no supervisor dedicated to overseeing the processing of payroll. The City’s payroll function has become increasingly more complex and demanding given the changing labor laws and regulations, public safety employees varied work schedules and contractual commitments, and the complicated payroll system the city operates. 

The Human Resources department conducted a classification study of the payroll management responsibility and concluded that a dedicated supervisor is required to effectively execute the payroll function. Therefore, staff recommends a dedicated full-time position responsible for overseeing the day-to-day monitoring and ensuring the accuracy of processing the city payroll.

Since the City does not currently have the classification within the Accounting family, it is necessary to create a new job classification of Payroll Supervisor.   The recommended range is M171. The job description is attached for reference.

The annual cost including benefits for Payroll Supervisor is $131,200 at top step.  However, the Finance Department will upgrade an existing Accounting Technician position currently budgeted at $116,400 to the Payroll Supervisor. Therefore, the net impact is only $14,800. Approval of the new classification of Payroll Supervisor would add approximately $5,000 to the existing Fiscal Year 2016/2017 budget, and the Finance Department will be able to absorb this difference within its currently approved budget.

It is recommended that the City Council:

• Adopt the attached Resolution adding a new employee classification and salary range for Payroll Supervisor;

• Approve the creation of the classification of Payroll Supervisor at range M171; and

• Approve the attached Salary Schedule.

By:  Jany H. Lee, Human Resources Manager