Fish and Game to take payroll functions back from DOA; department says it will improve pay accuracy despite limited positions returning

The Department of Fish and Game told the Senate subcommittee it is bringing payroll work back from the Department of Administration but will receive fewer positions than it previously ceded.

"We do believe that the 7 positions will be sufficient," Administrative Services Director Bonnie Jensen said, adding the department plans to reclassify one vacant position to a payroll supervisor and to provide cross-training to handle seasonal workload fluctuations.

Commissioner Doug Linson Lang told the committee that pay accuracy was a driving reason for the change: "When we had a consolidated fishing game, it's fairly complex... getting payroll back so that we could understand how our employees were getting paid and getting them paid accurately was important to us." He acknowledged the department gave away 15 positions previously and is getting fewer back, and said leaders will "figure it out this year" and request more staff if necessary.

Jensen said FY27 includes 1,445 budgeted positions (seasonal positions counted in permanent part-time) and that about 40% of the workforce is seasonal, which affects vacancy calculations. The department reported a current vacancy rate of about 11% after removing seasonal positions, with most vacancies under two years.

Why it matters: payroll accuracy and adequate staffing affect employee morale, recruitment and retention, and the department said returning payroll control should allow more accurate and timely pay for field staff who work irregular hours and seasons.

Committee members pressed for operational detail, noting the small number of positions returning compared with prior transfers. The department agreed to provide the subcommittee additional information about reclassification, training plans, workspace and onboarding for employees moving from DOA.