Lorain City Auditor, Police Chief disagree on timekeeping software

LORAIN — Lorain's city auditor wants to bring employee timekeeping into the 21st century, but not all the departments are on board. Auditor Karen Shawver contracted with Kronos in 2020 for timekeeping devices to try to standardize systems throughout the city, but put the changeover on hold after questions from City Council. The new timekeeping devices cost $33,924 and were paid from CARES Act funds. The software itself costs $18,522 per year and would allow employees and managers to see their paid time-off accruals 24 hours a day, Shawver said. It also would digitize and standardize timekeeping procedures throughout the city as there are many different systems. Those methods came under scrutiny after a 2018 investigation into the city Clerk of Courts office. A report with findings for recovery released by the state auditor last month found former Clerk of Courts Lori Maiorana's employees had been overpaid by $70,910 between June 2014 and September 2018. Shawver said Monday the city can't be operating with a 1960s format to do payroll. She signed a contract with Kronos in September 2020 and began implementing the new system until the process was stopped after questions from City Council — as the legislative body had approved the purchase of the devices, but not the contract itself. Law Director Pat Riley said the dispute between Council and the auditor led to his department reexamining how contracts are handled in the city. He said he believes best practices dictate contracts must come to Council, but that members can request a legal opinion on the policy change. Tony Dimacchia, D-at large, questioned if Kronos would be used for police and fire, as previous discussions on the issue included leaving them out so as to not make issues with their overtime or scheduling. Shawver said in her research on the system, there were several cities whose departments use Kronos for their first responders but the change came under fire from police Chief Jim McCann. McCann said more than a decade ago, Lorain Police invested in telestaff, which was eventually bought by Kronos, for its scheduling, noting LPD has spent about $214,000 over the past 12 years to keep its timekeeping system up to date, and changing over or adding Shawver's proposed system would create more work for his officers — leading to increased costs. He was adamant the police department doesn't need Shawver's proposed software or time clock system, calling it a mistake and a waste of money for his department. "If you pass this, we'll have to do it, but know you're taking money away from other functions," he said. Shawver disagreed, stating the funds for the system will be charged back and won't take money from the department's other line items. The vote to send the item back to Council for full consideration was a tie, with Mary Springowski, D-at large, Pam Carter, D-3rd Ward, Dan Nutt, D-4th Ward, Cory Shawver, D-7th Ward and Mitchell Fallis, D-at large, voting for it. Council President Joel Arredondo broke the tie by voting in favor of sending it to Council. The matter will go to a second reading Monday. Members also heard a presentation from Clemons Nelson representative Mike Esposito on a proposed salary study. The study would include information from 10 to 15 cities about their 20 to 25 core positions to determine wage ranges for nonbargaining unit employees in Lorain. Esposito said the process would take about 12 to 16 weeks, and cost about $20,000 to complete. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.