PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County commissioners unanimously approved more than $280,000 to be spent on a consultant to assist with the transition to the new financial management and human resources software the county will implement.

The consultant will work for Koa Hills Consulting LLC, which was selected from five different company proposals submitted for the project.

The exact budget for the consultant is $281,060, according to the approved agreement. That breaks down to 1,400 hours of work at a rate of $160 per hour plus travel expenses. The budget is not to exceed the $281,060 cap. If funds remain when the project is done they will not be spent, according to the county.

The process of implementing the new software will take approximately 18 months. The consultant will be used to address issues that occur during the installation period.

Jefferson County has contracted with Tyler Technologies for licensing and professional services to implement its Munis financial management/human resources software suite.

Tyler Technologies’ program is used by many different city and county governments throughout the country, as well as schools and businesses.

Central Services Director Mark McCauley said he finds the software a needed upgrade over the county’s current systems.

“The other software is a quantum leap over software we currently have,” McCauley said. “We’re eager to do this, but we needed to do what was best for the county.”

The money will be drawn from the Capitol Improvement fund.

The project team includes Cathy Taylor from Public Works; Veronica Shaw and others from the health department; Rose Ann Carroll, Judy Shepherd and Kari Binns from the Auditor’s Office; Stacie Prada and Janet Holbrook from the Treasurer’s Office; and McCauley and Dave Olsen from Central Services.

The project team conducted the proposal search for the consultant. From the five proposals they received, they selected three and held in-person interviews with the potential consultants before deciding on Koa.

The new software will show “substantial improvements for customers by both streamlining communications and workflow between county departments and agencies as well as communications with clients, contractors, realtors and other professionals,” according to county documents.

The contract for the consultant will run from Aug. 12 to Jan. 31, 2021.

_______

Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5, or at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com.