County OKs software contract

County officials will be using new financial software next year.

Jay County Commissioners approved a $256,521 contract Monday with Low Associates’ Windows Payroll Financial Software.

They also took three bids under advisement for projects associated with the county’s owner-occupied rehabilitation program.

In June, Jay County auditor Emily Franks and Jay County Treasurer’s Office first deputy Jonelle Foreman — she will be taking over as treasurer Jan. 1 — explained the need for the county to update its financial and property tax software. Franks explained at that time their financial software, Open Windows Financial’s Harris, was converted in March 2011. The outdated software lacks customer support availability and software updates and provides a limited number of licenses to view information, she continued. (New systems allow unlimited rights to view records by elected officials and department heads.) Also, the system is based on-site, which required employees to continue working in-person amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Jay County’s financial software manages the county’s 10 bank accounts and 195 funds, according to statistics Franks shared in June. The county pays an average 225 employees bi-weekly and accounts for the county’s $24.5 million budget.

Franks hoped to switch the current system before it was no longer viable, pointing to concerns that the company may stop offering support in the near future.

“I know for me that the last 18 months, I've worried that phone call's coming, or that email's coming in, saying we are no longer supporting you,” she said in June.