News 12 First at Five / Monday, Jan. 25, 2012

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Commissioners recently all but rubber stamped a plan to privatize Augusta's human resources and payroll department.

The vote gave the administrator the authority to put together an agreement with ADP.

We got our hands on two pages of supposed issues with ADP that were compiled by the city administrator's office.

"Two pages is not that bad, to be honest with you," said City Administrator Fred Russell. "There are issues there that are partly our fault."

The list makes mention of workers dropped from health care coverage.

"We have had cancellation in every vendor group, without explanation; the only common denominator is ADP," reads No. 13 on the list.

It all hit too close to home recently for Augusta's coroner.

"What hurts the most?" we asked Coroner Grover Tuten in a previous interview.

"I work hard for the city," Tuten said. "And they don't give a s*%# about you."

ADP personnel are described as "sometimes combative," employees supposedly "don't trust the automation of benefits," and there are complaints about the inability to instantly fix problems. The list was put together by the city administrator's office.

"It's not a perfect transition, It never has been, never will be," Russell said. "And those are things we are trying to solve. I'm tired. Seriously. Give me a break."

And so we took the list to Finance Chairman Jerry Brigham.

"I haven't seen that report," Brigham said. "I can't comment on it."

Brigham voted in favor of drafting the contract.

"And yet there is an existing document about ADP issues that you say you had no clue about?" News 12's Chris Thomas asked.

"Chris," said Brigham, "I have not seen the report that you have in your hand."

Did we mention the $1 million price tag for implementation?

"We're going to have to weigh the costs," Russell said. "It's going to be a tough one."

News 12 asked Brigham if he could stomach $1 million.

"I don't know until I see what the proposal is," replied Brigham, who admits he has some homework to do. "When I go to vote, I'll be prepared. Thank you."

ADP released the following comment: "The 'issues' cited are not related to ADP. While we cannot comment specifically on ongoing sales engagements, ADP is committed to delivering service excellence and innovative solutions for all its clients."

Russell is expected to present the ADP contract to commissioners next week.