Unanimity reigned at Tuesday’s meeting of the Vance County Board of Commissioners except on one issue: direct deposit of county paychecks.
Human Resources Director Argretta Reid presented a plan to offer direct deposit to county employees beginning with the Dec. 25 payroll. Under her proposal, direct deposit would become mandatory for county employees by April.
“What if they don’t want to?” Commissioner Tommy Hester asked.
“We hope they will come around,” Reid replied.
County Finance Director Jerry Tucker argued that direct deposit is a benefit to the employee. He indicated that county employees would receive a free checking account with BB&T as well as consultation and advice on direct deposit.
Board Chairman Tim Pegram, however, said he believed that direct deposit would be voluntary, not mandatory.
Commissioner Wilbur Boyd entered the fray, putting forth the view that direct deposit is a benefit to the employee. He said that as employees get used to direct deposit, they will come to like it. He suggested that the issue of mandatory direct deposit be revisited in a year instead of forcing employees to accept the change by April.
Commissioner Terry Garrison came down on the side of voluntary rather than mandatory direct deposit, preferring encouragement to force.
County Manager Jerry Ayscue suggested a plan to encourage employees to embark on direct deposit. He indicated, however, that the direct deposit plan would be easier to administer with all employees participating.
Pegram said he would vote for a voluntary direct-deposit plan.
Commissioner Eddie Wright said the danger of Internet hacking is one reason not to have direct deposit.
The commissioners amended the motion to allow direct deposit for existing employees on a voluntary basis but to require direct deposit for new employees. That motion passed with Pegram and Hester voting no.