Wichita County rescinds two budget transfers, approves postage machine and time-clock system purchases

At the July 8 meeting, the Wichita County Commissioner's Court approved its consent agenda, which included rescinding previously budgeted transfers to the jury fund and the permanent-improvement fund. County staff told commissioners both funds have ample balances for foreseeable 2025 needs; the jury fund balance was described as about $126,000 and expected to receive an additional state reimbursement in the second quarter that staff estimated would add about $30,000.

On individual purchases, the court approved a postage machine for the Law Enforcement Center from Pitney Bowes for $8,180.90 to be paid from department 560, and a Tyler Technologies quote for $29,150 to purchase 10 touchscreen time clocks and software-as-a-service support (department 409). County staff said the time clocks (priced at about $2,650 each with a $265-per-module warranty) include proximity readers compatible with the county's planned security system, a tenant screen, and time-off/accrual functions. Staff said the official go-live date for the new timekeeping system is set for November, with current parallel testing showing no major issues.

Commissioners discussed bookkeeping practices, jury fund reimbursements, and that the permanent-improvement fund balance sits “just a tad shy of $5,000,000.” The court voted 5-0 to approve the consent agenda and each purchase.

The purchases follow prior approvals and earlier budgeted items: staff said the postage machine was previously approved in 2021 but never purchased, and the time-clock implementation quote is lower than an earlier implementation estimate because the county reduced consultant time and prorated costs.