‘A penny saved is a penny earned,? that’s the philosophy Addison Township officials live by, which is why they approved to go the way of direct deposit for their employees, which would save the township approximately $316 a year.
‘As far as I am concerned, $316 is another way of saving some money for this township and every little bit helps,? Supervisor Bruce Pearson said. ‘You add that up over 10 years and you’re talking over $3,000.?
The board voted 6-1 to approve direct deposit for all employees at the Dec. 15 meeting. Trustee Ed. Brakefield was absent. According to Pearson, the township changed payroll providers last November to ‘Paychex? who offer a discount for client firms that enroll employees with payroll direct deposit.
‘I think it’s a good policy, it’s the way of the future,? Pearson added. ‘Even your social security checks are direct deposit now. They don’t send out checks anymore.?
Clerk Pauline Bennett thought the cost savings would have been more, but she was comfortable going either way on the vote.
‘To have a paperless payroll policy I think it is a move towards the future, so I’m fine with it,? Bennett said.
Pearson pointed out that there is an exception to direct deposit as it relates to election inspectors, but Bennett noted that they are trying to get them to participate in the direct deposit as well.
‘They’re only paid every-other year and they are exempt from a W-2, so they’re not really on the federal government roll,? Bennett explained. ‘That’s why we exempted them.?
Trustee Erich Senft believes it will be ‘a lot easier.?
‘It’s a lot less effort of the people receiving the money and paying (the money),? he said. ‘It’s the way of the future (and) it happens everyday.?
Trustee Linda Gierak asked if pay stubs would be e-mailed. Bennett said each employee would be given an identification where they can log into the website of their payroll provider, Paychex and access their account with all their payroll information.
‘It will be totally paperless, no paper whatsoever,? Bennett said.
Trustee John Boehmer asked if there were any other ancillary savings.
‘Hours saved? Is there still the same amount of paperwork done in the township to do payroll or is there less,? he asked.
Bennett said there would be some savings in the storage room.
‘Right now everything is in paper, so we just have bounds of paper for payroll (in the storage room). The auditor is fine as long as we store the reports on our computers, which is what we’re going to do,? she said. ‘I think it will be more convenient, without ever trying this way I am yet to find out if it will be a time savings.?