State falls behind on bills after switching to new financial system
MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - The State of Alabama is playing catch up on bills after a switch to a new financial system caused a delay in payments.
Several people who say they are state contractors contacted WSFA 12 News saying they haven't been paid. All refused to go on camera, but WSFA 12 News brought the questions to the financial department.
Finance director Bill Newton refused to go on camera but did answer questions via email.
Newton said the state switched financial systems, which led to a backlog of cases. He said the office has hired more people to help handle the workload. The state is now issuing thousands of payments a day but is still not caught up.
Newton said the old system needed to be replaced because it was 25 years old. The new system known as the State of Alabama Accounting and Reporting System, or STAARS.
The biggest switch from the old to the new system happened on Oct. 5.
The governor admitted the new system has had some issues.
"It's just a new system, and there are bumps in the road related to that system," Bentley said.
The governor said he realizes falling behind on the payments is an issue.
"He knows it's not fair, I know it's not fair. People need to get paid, and we need to make sure they are paid, but there has just been a delay because of the system. They will get paid," Bentley said.
Newton said he expects to be caught up with all payments by the end of next week.
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