Lawrence Board approves payroll vendor, Catalyst amendment and routine claims

The Lawrence Board of Public Works and Safety approved a series of routine and contractual items at its May 28, 2026 meeting, including a payroll services agreement with Payor and a second amendment to a contract with Catalyst Public Affairs Group.

The board first approved the minutes from its May 14 meeting and then moved to approve claims. City Controller Terry Faulker flagged a vendor charge of more than $1,400 for landscaping work at the police department and explained staff would check whether a signed contract covers grass cutting going forward. The board voted to pay the claims.

The board also approved a professional services agreement to use Payor for payroll processing after a presentation from the vendor. Controller Faulker said the city’s current payroll module “does not... work well” and that the new service will streamline processing. Staff told members the existing financial system would be retained for the first two payrolls as a safeguard during the transition.

Separately, the board approved a second amendment to a professional services agreement with Catalyst Public Affairs Group after Scott Carr, a Catalyst vice president, joined the meeting virtually and offered to continue supporting Lawrence amid potential state-level policy changes that could affect city finances.

All motions were moved, seconded and recorded as carried during the meeting. The board then introduced a McKinley climate fellow and adjourned.

Votes at a glance:
- Minutes (May 14, 2026): motion to approve — outcome: approved (motion carried).
- Claims (including landscaping vendor): motion to approve — outcome: approved (motion carried).
- Professional services agreement with Payor (payroll vendor): motion to confirm — outcome: approved (motion carried).
- Second amendment to professional services agreement with Catalyst Public Affairs Group: motion to approve — outcome: approved (motion carried).

The board did not provide named roll-call tallies in the transcript for these votes; each action was recorded in the minutes as carried following an oral vote.