[0:09] Members of clock ready.

[0:14] Ladies and gentlemen, at this time we'll call our meeting to order. This is the

[0:17] Rockingham County Board of Elections special meeting. Um, we have an agenda

[0:22] before us that we have received. First order of business would be to approve

[0:27] the agenda. Is there a motion? Motion is that official

[0:31] » been properly moved and seconded to approve the agenda. All in favor will

[0:34] say I. All those no. The eyes have it. The agenda is approved. Uh Miss

[0:40] Seamster. >> Okay. The first item on the agenda um we

[0:44] had a notice. Well, I'm seeking approval of a notice of candidacy by petition for

[0:52] Ryan Boon Young for sheriff and the unaffiliated

[0:58] petition is what he filled out. Um, he had to receive 2540

[1:06] signatures. He has exceeded that amount. And what

[1:12] I'm asking the board for tonight is the approval to put him on the general

[1:17] election ballot, which is this fall. So, and these are his signatures.

[1:26] » I'm sorry you said this fall. >> That would be November the 3rd, but he

[1:32] will also be on the he will start going out in the September absentee

[1:38] by mail ballots. But um the reason for this, he had a deadline of March the 3rd

[1:46] by noon to get all of his signatures in and he actually got all his in prior to

[1:54] that. We do have one other unaffiliated candidate that is getting his petitions

[2:01] done and if he needs that then we'll have that later as well. But right now,

[2:07] I'm just seeking approval of the notice of candidacy by petition for Ryan Boon

[2:13] Young to be on the ballot this coming November, the general election as an

[2:21] unaffiliated sheriff.

[2:24] » Okay, members, you've heard uh Miss Seamster's request um before motion.

[2:29] Does anyone have any further questions or discussion for her?

[2:34] And if not, I would entertain a motion. >> Mr. Chair, I make a motion that we

[2:38] approve the uh notice of candidacy by petition for Ryan Young uh under

[2:44] affiliated. >> Is there a second?

[2:48] » Second that. >> All right. Further discussion, further

[2:51] debate. If not, um question is for Ryan Young. This approval of notice for

[2:57] candidacy. >> All in favor will say I

[3:01] no. You guys have it and Cassie is approved.

[3:08] » Thanks. >> Okay. The next item um and I've given

[3:12] you a little bit of a heads up before. Um this is the approval of the fisc year

[3:18] 2025 2026 budget amendment for postage. Um and this we may not need all of this,

[3:27] but right now we have $47 in our postage amount.

[3:32] and I haven't received the bill for the last couple of weeks,

[3:37] but what I am asking is that our general supplies line item be reduced by 3,000

[3:45] and that our postage line item be increased by 3,000. This is already in

[3:51] our budget, so it's just moving from one line item to another. And um once the

[3:58] board approves or denies, if you approve this, then it will move to the finance

[4:05] director for her to approve. And I'm not sure if she'll have to take it before

[4:11] the commissioners or not, but the first thing we have to do is for the local

[4:17] board to approve the budget revision. >> Madam,

[4:22] I'm sorry. >> We've heard Miss's request. Is there

[4:25] further questions for Miss Singster? Miss Title?

[4:28] » Yes. Where does that leave us uh in the budget as far as general supplies?

[4:33] » We're good. >> We're good.

[4:35] » Okay. >> Further questions or comments? Uh that's

[4:39] right. >> No comment. Offer the motion.

[4:43] » Okay. >> Ready for us? I offer a motion um for

[4:48] approval of the fiscal 202526 budget amendment as stated by Miss

[4:54] Seamster. >> Is there a second?

[4:58] » Second. >> Okay. It's been properly moved and

[5:01] seconded to approve fiscal year 2526 budget amendment as presented by Miss

[5:06] Seamster. All in favor of the motion will signify by saying I. All those no.

[5:12] The eyes have it and the amendment is approved. It seems to

[5:16] » okay the real reason why we're here um entry seats you'll see the proposed

[5:24] board of elections budget for fiscal year 2026 2027

[5:30] um pretty much most of our budget which is

[5:36] regular salaries board members temporary salaries

[5:41] election well the election precinct salary I do that the health insurance,

[5:46] FICA,

[5:49] regular ret um irregular retirement, unemployment, workers comp

[5:56] that is given to us from the county. um the

[6:04] precinct officials. This is based on and let me go back at the top of the page

[6:12] you'll see over to the right hand side I have the fiscal year 2022 2023 that is

[6:20] the same type of election we will have next fiscal year but I also incorporated

[6:27] the fiscal year 2024 2025 because that is when a lot of the increases in

[6:34] printing and some of our contracts increased. So I wanted to give a

[6:40] comparison um so with the similar elections

[6:45] different fiscal years so you'll have something to compare to and I'll provide

[6:50] this to the county as well. Um but just going through the election precinct

[6:58] officials which is 4111 021

[7:04] in fiscal year 2022 2023 we did actual actually expend 72,983

[7:16] $90083

[7:20] during the fiscal year 2024 2025, we expended $123,23326.

[7:30] And with my estimates on what we're going to need for this general election,

[7:35] you'll see over to the side, we have 96 early voting officials. It is a 12-hour

[7:44] shift. We split that in half. And then we have 14 precincts with approximately

[7:51] 200 officials, 12 to 14 per precinct. Um, we have noticed over the last couple

[7:58] of years with the general elections, we have about 75% of our population to show

[8:05] up for the general election. During the primary election, we do not.

[8:11] this general election I am anticipating about the 75 plus% to show up. Um so

[8:20] that is why I would like to leave put that at 125,000 which is close to the

[8:26] 2024 2025 fiscal budget. Are there any questions on that?

[8:31] » I want to thank you for presenting about those fiscal years. That's very helpful.

[8:37] members um comments or questions from >> on that category.

[8:43] » Okay. All right. Well, like I said, the health insurance and the only thing with

[8:48] FICA that I added in here is the temporary staff and the early voting

[8:54] officials based on the budget numbers ahead. I mean, that were listed prior to

[9:00] that. So, moving on to the Rockingham update live stream. Um that is Roy

[9:08] Sawyers who's doing our meeting tonight. He usually does 12 regular meetings and

[9:14] we do have four special call meetings in there. That could be for budget, that

[9:19] could be for uh a recount. There's many things that we could have throughout the

[9:26] year. And um I did ask Roy if he was having an increase and he said not this

[9:32] year. So that is the $4,400 that is included in there.

[9:40] » Members, further questions, further comments?

[9:43] » I don't have a question on that category, but right above it, just out

[9:47] of curiosity, I've never known insurance to go down.

[9:51] » I haven't either. I found that very hard to believe. The only thing I can figure

[9:56] is the workman comp claims have been low and they lowered.

[9:59] » So they lowered our rates. Okay. >> But you're right. I question that cuz it

[10:04] went from 189 up to 233

[10:09] and then back down to 155. >> And the amount of claims probably does

[10:14] impact what you do. >> Yeah.

[10:17] » Further comments or questions members not the chair would entertain a motion

[10:24] » or not do >> about the for the whole thing.

[10:30] You want me to keep going? >> Well, keep going.

[10:32] » Go ahead. >> Okay. All right.

[10:34] » Um, the legal fee is 4123017.

[10:39] Um, we use Keenan and Craver out of Durham. Um, we've always had just

[10:46] $15,000 in there. He's only paid when we use his services. Um, that is the amount

[10:53] we have used since we started using him in 2021.

[10:58] Um, as you can see in the 2024 2025, we used

[11:04] a almost $11,000. If we have a

[11:10] um hearing, that's when the money goes up. Um, just

[11:17] like we just had one for the municipal election that's in this budget year and

[11:22] that was a little right around $9,000. So you never know when you might need

[11:30] that legal thing, but that was he came for two different hearings. So

[11:37] » Oh, I do have a question about about that. So if so that's what we've that

[11:44] number that 10,800 is for um >> actual spent

[11:48] » for the year that we're still currently in until the end of June.

[11:52] » This was actually for the 24th. >> All right. We're in 26 now.

[11:57] » That was rigs and

[12:02] » and refresh my memory. What what what happened in that year that made us

[12:07] » That was the um Supreme Court. >> Okay. Yes. Yes, I remember that now.

[12:12] Yeah. >> Did we also have someone to challenge a

[12:15] candidate? >> Yes, we did. That

[12:19] » we had a challenge for House of Representatives.

[12:25] So, >> so I may be stepping slightly out

[12:27] because it's not about this exact budget, but where are we on that

[12:30] spending for the year that we're in in case we have challenges in this early

[12:34] election? >> We still have a little bit of money left

[12:37] in there. >> Okay.

[12:38] » So, hopefully we will not, but >> and the budget starts over in July.

[12:43] » July. Yeah, >> that is correct. So, if we have any

[12:46] challenges, it will be during the primary.

[12:49] » Yeah. >> So, further questions?

[12:54] Okay. With the utilities, um, we do pay for 30% or 2/3 of the

[13:02] cost. Um, and the county covers the rest because the gym is part of this

[13:08] building. They pay 2/3 of that. Um, we never know with Duke Energy whether it's

[13:15] going to go up or go down, but it's been pretty consistent. Um, so

[13:23] I'm looking at $5,500 because we are

[13:29] right around the 5,000 mark is what it's been for the last two

[13:35] years with that 30%. >> That's right.

[13:39] » I'm thinking you might need to put a little more than

[13:43] that in there because I don't know about anybody else's utility bill. Mine has

[13:48] tripled. >> Yeah, they they've escalated quite a

[13:51] bit. >> Yes, they have. Do you have any

[13:53] recommendations? >> No, I don't. I just felt like this was

[13:56] so what? >> My original amount was 6,200 and I

[14:00] reduced it to what it had been for the last two years.

[14:05] » I have to agree with a few of you. you might want to compensate for that

[14:09] because >> yeah,

[14:10] » I'm expecting the not only had the first two months been uh higher than normal,

[14:19] but and it's probably going to be that same way in March, too.

[14:22] » Okay. >> So, you'll go back to the 6,200.

[14:27] » That's are you would you be good with that?

[14:30] » That's instead of the 4945 87. >> Well, instead of the 55

[14:34] » 55 I'm sorry. Yes. 60 >> 60

[14:38] » 62 >> 6200.

[14:40] » Okay. >> Do we need to uh make a vote to make

[14:43] that amendment?

[14:47] » This is just working. >> Yeah, we're just right now.

[14:49] » So that's $700. Do y'all think that's enough?

[14:57] » I think it'll put you in a better position than the 5500 will.

[15:01] » Okay. >> All right. So, I'm going to add 700 to

[15:05] the back. All right. Um, anything else on the utilities?

[15:12] All right. The service maintenance, the security system monitoring,

[15:17] it's been just shy of the $450. The voting equipment, I did get a quote on

[15:24] that. Cleaning services, they do not anticipate any raises in their fees. and

[15:32] the annual maintenance for security system and badge system. I received that

[15:37] from the IT department what that was itemized at being or estimated at being.

[15:45] So, we're looking at a little bit more, which is the 40,440

[15:50] than what we anticipated. Well, what we actually spend in 2024 2025,

[15:58] » but it's closer to the 2022 2023 budget. And the reason for that is in 2024 we

[16:07] had just received the express votes and it was part of the package for the

[16:14] service agreement is the reason why it was not as high in 24 versus 22.

[16:21] » Okay. >> Um

[16:25] the 30,000 for voting equipment >> that's the maintenance.

[16:30] » That's the maintenance. They come out and they do we have

[16:37] 32 DS200s and 22 express boats. >> So those that's the new equipment that

[16:44] we bought. >> Yes. It's well the DS200s are not the

[16:47] new ones, but the express boat is the new ones. But they come out and they

[16:51] service them. They go through each one of them and make sure that everything is

[16:55] in operating order. And >> that's just prior to the elections. That

[17:01] is prior. They do it once a year. Usually it's in March or April. Gotcha.

[17:07] » Further comments on service and maintenance.

[17:11] » So is increase by right >> 10,000.

[17:15] » It's more in line with the 2022 because in 2024 that's when we got the

[17:21] express votes. It would have been around the $37,000

[17:27] figure, but with the purchase of that, they included the maintenance

[17:34] for the first year. >> Okay.

[17:39] » Okay. Building repair. We always put in an unexpected building repairs of

[17:44] $1,000. We never know what might happen. It might be um a water closet or

[17:52] commode, whatever you want to call it. Could something could happen. We may

[17:56] have to do that. But I am also asking to add two walls in the director's office.

[18:04] Um what that wall will do, it will make that room into two rooms where if you

[18:11] come and you need to have a conversation with someone, you'll have somewhere you

[18:16] can go. that is closed off. >> So, it's going to kind of be like what

[18:20] we did last year when we used that. >> Yes.

[18:23] » Okay. >> And that's just the rough estimate that

[18:26] I've been given so far. >> Okay. Something asked about that.

[18:30] » Yes. >> Further discussion on the building

[18:33] repair.

[18:38] um equipment repairs if there's something this you'll notice in 2022

[18:43] 2023 we had to get new batteries for the DS200s

[18:49] that's usually about every 5 to 6 years so that will be in our next one fiscal

[18:56] year after this one um that there are three batteries that go into each of the

[19:03] DS200 machines and that was what the cost was in 2020 22, but I'm not

[19:10] anticipating those needing to be replaced this year. So, I'm just putting

[19:15] 1,000 in the unexpected equipment repairs.

[19:20] » Comments or questions?

[19:24] » Postage, um, absentees, the office mailings, NCOA cards, voter confirmation

[19:30] cards, voter registration cards for one general election. Um,

[19:36] we put in 20,000 last year and I would like to do the same thing. Hopefully, we

[19:43] won't be sending out bulk voter registration cards, but you'll see in

[19:49] 2024 2025. We did go over the 20,000. We're

[19:54] going over this year, but in both cases, we had changes in precincts.

[20:03] So >> comments or questions?

[20:06] » That's right. >> One question.

[20:08] » Um on the the proposed one, the first one that you

[20:15] gave us is one general election and general office

[20:21] is office supplies. >> Okay. Office.

[20:23] » Well, office mail or Yeah, it cut off that

[20:28] » pro comments or questions. in the 2020 with 25. Didn't we have to change some

[20:33] ballots too in 25 24? >> Yes, we did.

[20:39] » Cuz that was we ordered the ballots and then they changed it at the last minute.

[20:44] » Yeah. Yes. >> For comments or questions

[20:49] or >> Okay. With the printing, um, we are

[20:53] going to need some additional absent tea envelopes. Usually during the general

[20:58] election it does increase and there are three different sizes of envelopes we

[21:04] have to send with absentee. The provisional envelopes will be

[21:09] changing this year as well. They were trying to get that done prior to the

[21:14] primary election. They did not get it done. They're expecting those to come in

[21:19] sometime May or June. So we'll be ordering those in the new fiscal year to

[21:24] get new provisional envelopes. Um, the testing and the election

[21:29] ballots, I'm anticipating those costing about 25,500.

[21:35] That's a little slight more than what the primary election is costing us based

[21:41] on the number of ballots I'll have to order.

[21:45] The coding and the layout will be about $11,000.

[21:49] And then I'm estimating 10,500 for brochures, educational materials. We

[21:56] will need to update our manuals during the general election and this is also

[22:03] for public records requests, voter cards, anything else that we may need to

[22:07] order that has to be printed outside of this office. So I am requesting $49,350.

[22:16] » Comments or questions? >> Question on provisional balance. Are we

[22:21] seeing a lot of those? >> Not during the primary. We usually do

[22:25] not see them during the municipal or but the general election we usually send out

[22:31] thousands. >> Answer questions.

[22:36] » See? >> Okay. General election, I mean general

[22:40] insurance is given to us by the county or provided by the county. The

[22:44] communications is on the next page. The converge is our office phones here. The

[22:51] cell phone allowance is the cell phone that everybody calls me on during

[22:55] elections. And then the myi, it should say general and not primary election. We

[23:02] now have two myisi that we will be using for the Reedsville and the Eden sites.

[23:11] So I'm anticipating that costing us about $150. we only have to pay for the

[23:17] time that we use that instead of a yearly contract.

[23:22] So, I'm estimating $2,100 for communications.

[23:28] » Comments or questions? the advertising um

[23:35] the advertising prior to the early voting it'll be about $650 miscellaneous

[23:41] as far as any changes precinct moves and sometimes we have those sometimes we

[23:47] don't but that's about $1,000 the required notices we usually try to send

[23:53] that out in the Rockham mail the Eden's own journal and sometimes we have Roy do

[24:00] that as well as other outlets that we may use. And that's about $4,000.

[24:07] And we have put this monthly audio and video programs out to promote get out

[24:13] and vote, next year we will have more time. So

[24:19] whereas this year with backtoback elections, we do not have that. Roy

[24:24] usually helps us with that when we are able to do that. And we do need to

[24:29] update some of our videos cuz a lot of them have changed.

[24:34] So, but >> I said thank you.

[24:38] » Yeah, thank you Rory. So, right now I am estimating $9,850

[24:45] if the board wants to move forward with that monthly audio and video programs.

[24:51] We also do the podcast as well. >> Chair has a question. Um, so it is a

[24:57] significant increase. Is that mainly the monthly audio and video programs by line

[25:02] that's causing that? >> Yes.

[25:05] » So that's the 4200. >> Yeah. Because we have not we've done a

[25:08] few but we haven't done what we have projected and this is something that um

[25:14] member Hampton when he was on the board really wanted us to do.

[25:18] » Didn't we do some >> we did some

[25:21] » and so we would have to make new ones. Yes. A lot of them have a lot of the

[25:28] information has changed. >> That's true. Yeah. A lot of the mods

[25:31] have changed. Yeah. >> So, but you'll see in the prior years,

[25:36] we did not use all of that money. We may have done one or two.

[25:39] » Well, let me ask you this. Did you see much of an impact from the um audio and

[25:45] the video programs? >> Yes, we've had a lot of people watch it,

[25:50] but like I said, a lot of them are outdated right now.

[25:54] So they're not being shown. >> Well, they're on our website. They're on

[25:58] our website. Our the podcasts are on there and the videos are on there. It's

[26:02] under um voter information and they can look on there. How to use the DS200, how

[26:09] to use the Express Vote, what the voting process is, um the

[26:16] process for absentee ballots, and but there's several on there. Well, you can

[26:21] probably answer this better than any of us can. Do you think that the uh

[26:28] amount of coverage that that provided or the number of people that watched it

[26:35] justifies a $4,200 increase?

[26:40] » I think you're going to catch some flag from the commissioner. So,

[26:44] » well, it's been on there each year. >> Has it?

[26:46] » It's been on there. This will be the third year that it's been on there. Did

[26:50] you what kind of response did you get from

[26:54] the commissioners on it? No. No. No push back.

[26:57] » You'd rather have a door. >> Well, I agree. But I'm just saying, you

[27:01] know, if I were >> going to think of anything that might

[27:05] you might get push back on, it would probably be that.

[27:08] » Well, they know that our performance measurement that we're trying to achieve

[27:14] is based on voter turnout. And if we can increase the voter turnout, then we're

[27:21] meeting our performance measurements. >> So point of clarification then um

[27:27] actually that 9850 is not as large of an increase from what was budgeted. It's

[27:32] just more than what was spent spent. That is correct.

[27:34] » So that's that's helpful. >> Further comments or questions?

[27:39] » That was what I was going to ask. So do you remember what approximately not

[27:43] exact what was budgeted? you know where we spent the 3500 but around was it

[27:49] around the same number similar >> around the same number

[27:51] » I think it's great I think it's certainly the best way to reach the

[27:55] younger voters and I think it's an important thing to do

[27:59] » it is important >> further comments or questions

[28:05] » okay um dues um the staff members here are part of the association we pay these

[28:11] dues every year it's $30 for myself and 15 for the other two. Um, we attend the

[28:18] NCAD conference and that normally we attend in March. I'm not sure if we'll

[28:24] have it depends on whether we have a second primary or not, but nothing has

[28:29] been sent out for March as of yet, but it'll be March or April when we'll

[28:34] attend that conference. And usually that's when we find out

[28:39] more information director-wise inside what's going on,

[28:46] what the best practices are at other counties. We have more one- on-one time

[28:52] with just staff in the office and the state board is not present during those

[28:59] meetings. I'll raise your questions

[29:04] this evening. >> The travel um

[29:08] for some reason we have this to use the county car, but

[29:13] it always gets put into the general fund. They may take this account away,

[29:19] but I put in the same thing we usually put, but you'll see the last two years

[29:23] it says zero. We have used the county car. You'll notice it's parked outside.

[29:28] mail during the elections. We usually have it the day before early voting

[29:34] starts until the day after the election. Um, but it is at our disposal. We fill

[29:40] it up um as needed and I turn those tickets in. That's where the line this

[29:47] should be put, but normally they put it in general

[29:52] supplies instead of the travel. So they may or may not remove that line item.

[29:59] » I've answered questions. >> Okay. The next is the board training. We

[30:05] have one conference that will be coming up in August. It will be in Greensboro.

[30:09] So y'all will not be staying at the hotel there, but the what's included

[30:16] there is registration and the meals. Um, you will be provided lunch for sure.

[30:23] Sometimes they do breakfast, sometimes they do not, but if we stay late, then

[30:29] that would also pay for your dinner. The mileage is 250 miles times five board

[30:35] members if all five attend. And the mileage rate as of right now is 72 cents

[30:45] per mile. So, I'm estimating $3,46

[30:52] for that conference, if all five. Point of clarification, I know this year, and

[30:58] this is probably more for the public's uh knowledge, but uh that was mandatory

[31:03] training for us to attend and I would assume that it is the same. Well, what

[31:08] they do, they do require that the board members attend two board meetings within

[31:14] that first two-year time period. So, I know you attended the one we had

[31:23] for >> July Wilmington.

[31:25] » Wilmington and then we had the online but the members that have been on the

[31:31] board for a while, they're not required, but the new members are. So, Wally, you

[31:36] would be required. Yes. >> To attend because that would be your

[31:39] first conference. So, >> okay.

[31:46] » Uh question for uh the one that uh the online one that we had in February. Did

[31:52] you ever get the training materials from that?

[31:55] » I have not as of yet. >> Okay.

[31:57] » So, I will check again to see if they had posted it, but Okay.

[32:00] » They were waiting on a couple of presentations before, but I will send

[32:05] that out. comments or questions?

[32:07] » Yeah, two questions. One, >> uh, 250 miles from here to Greensboro

[32:14] » back and forth. >> Oh, for the multiple days. Thank you.

[32:17] It's multiple days. >> That answers that. And then, uh, am I

[32:20] not required to also do another training sooner than that? I thought in the

[32:24] paperwork I read there was something that I needed to do like in first 90

[32:29] days or something like that. >> That would be this conference, but it

[32:32] you just >> even though it's further out than 90

[32:34] days. Got you. >> And it might have to do with online

[32:37] something. I >> did you have to do that?

[32:40] » Okay. I'll look I'll look >> I'll send in a help ticket to see. Let

[32:45] me put that on here. >> Further comments or questions.

[32:54] » All right. >> All right. The next is the staff

[32:57] training. Did the same thing with the one conference in Greensboro. And then

[33:03] with us not knowing where the NCA conference is, I included the hotel

[33:10] registration and the meals and we're at $3,750.

[33:17] » Comments or questions?

[33:22] » Okay. General supplies. Um I've is the supplies for the daily operations the

[33:29] office any projects we have events and that is events that we have out in the

[33:35] public like um FabFest um Riverfest

[33:41] the Ruffen fall and spring festivals. We go to Madison Mayadan Stoneville. We try

[33:51] to attend all of those festivals and we do try to update our brochures. They

[33:57] have those available as well as registration forms. Anything that the

[34:01] public may want, we try to have that there and that's part of that general

[34:06] supplies. The Concord technology is our fax that comes in via our email. And

[34:13] then the Toshiba copia charges or is our maintenance on

[34:20] the Toshiba machines that covers the cost of the printing, the ink, and any

[34:30] maintenance that's on there. So I am estimating $14,650.

[34:37] In 2022 2023 we did our manuals. So but we did the

[34:45] manuals here. That's what caused it to go up higher cuz we were using the tasha

[34:52] cuz we did not have it in print. >> You anticipated the chair's question.

[34:59] Are there other comments? I remember that in 25 we were having to

[35:06] deal with increased costs for all of our suppliers.

[35:10] » Uh are we seeing that this year or is has all of that leveled off?

[35:16] » It's leveled off a little bit. So they usually let us know when there's going

[35:21] to be an anticipated increase and we and usually we've received it by now. We

[35:26] have not. >> Gotcha.

[35:29] comments, questions. >> I don't think you need to increase it

[35:32] any can always >> have it there if you need to move

[35:38] something else. I mean, if something comes up and you might take some of it,

[35:42] but I >> I think we're good.

[35:45] » Okay. I think we're good. >> Comments or questions? This seems to

[35:50] » Okay. And then the last thing is the precinct supplies. And you'll see that

[35:56] we're usually around $3,000. So I am estimating $5,000 for that. Um and

[36:04] you know, usually we do $8,000, but 5,000 should be good.

[36:10] » Comments or questions? Members, comments or questions regarding the

[36:16] entire line? The new total with adding the um

[36:22] utilities is 622,770.

[36:28] » Sounds fun,

[36:32] » which is a 60. You're talking about the total.

[36:35] » The total it went from $622,70.

[36:40] » Yeah. which is a $63,000 increase from what we actually spent in

[36:47] 204.

[36:52] » Other comments or questions for Miss Ser,

[36:59] » I just need to know if there's anything that the board thinks they need to

[37:03] adjust. If not, is this a budget that the board would like to approve or would

[37:11] you like to take more time to review it and schedule another meeting? It's

[37:16] entirely up to you. >> Okay. Now, our chair said we would be

[37:20] sending some something to get with you on that.

[37:24] » All right. >> Cuz it may be something that he wanted

[37:28] to add. Okay, >> it's the same amount, but if you'll look

[37:31] at the board members monthly salary and election pay, um I did

[37:36] » that's on what page is the first page, >> the 14,400.

[37:42] I did submit a um board approval to the board of commissioners

[37:49] right before y'all arrived at 5. Um what the chairman is proposing is that

[37:59] the monthly salary and the election pay be added together divided by 12 and then

[38:07] a $50 allowance for cell phone and $75 allowance for travel cost

[38:17] » um to come. You'll still get the same amount of pay, but it will be allocated

[38:25] differently on the check. >> Okay. So, the total is not changing.

[38:32] » Correct. >> Why Why do we need that breakdown?

[38:37] » It >> I would address that. I've spoken with

[38:40] the chair and just felt that it would make more sense to to balance it out

[38:45] have the same every month as long as the total was the same. Thought it would be

[38:50] easier for accounting purposes and just thought it would be more

[38:55] » but the total is the same. >> The total is the same

[38:58] » as what we have been getting. So, and it I don't think we I mean I'm not opposed

[39:04] to doing it but I just don't see the need to do it.

[39:09] I think it sounds like he's adding some some specifics in there as what the

[39:13] money is for is what is that because you were saying something about travel and

[39:17] phones. >> Yeah.

[39:19] » And I understand that is consistent with what the board of commissioners does.

[39:24] » I think that's where he gets that. >> Um

[39:29] » that's right.

[39:33] I I mean I'm I'm How much travel? The most travel that I

[39:38] do is during

[39:43] » and I'm just >> Well, you wouldn't have to. It would

[39:48] still just be >> you would get the same amount of pay. It

[39:52] would just be broken out differently in payroll.

[39:56] » As far as accounting purposes, is accounting wanting that done? I mean,

[40:00] are they not happy? Are they not I I don't really see the need.

[40:07] » It comes down to the approval of the board of commissioners. That's what it I

[40:13] just got the email probably around 3 3:30 that this is something according to

[40:20] general statutes that anything like this would have to

[40:25] actually be approved by the board of commissioners.

[40:28] When you say anything like this, do you mean breaking it down like that?

[40:32] » Yes. And um and that was from the finance director as well as the county

[40:39] attorney. >> So, this is something that the board of

[40:41] commissioners would have to address, not not us.

[40:45] » Correct. They're the ones that would have to approve this change and it will

[40:50] be on their agenda. It's tentatively on their agenda for

[40:55] Monday night. But Susan will let me know if it will be at a later meeting. But

[41:02] the amount in our budget will not change.

[41:07] It still will be the 144. It will just be reallocated.

[41:13] » So when we get the final budget, if that gets approved by the commissioners, will

[41:18] it be broken down in our budget uh our copy of the budget in that manner?

[41:24] » It could be. >> Thank you. I can do that.

[41:28] » It would still be what shows up on the public copy is per salary forecast.

[41:35] There would not be a breakdown there at all. It would just be like at the

[41:40] » it would say board members per salary forecast 14.

[41:46] » That's all it was. >> So chair to comment. I would just say I

[41:51] believe it is not a matter of necessity is a matter of preference.

[41:56] Um my personal opinion is that it's not changing the total. It's

[42:02] » something that the chair would like to do.

[42:05] » I don't have any reason to oppose it. Um and so I would support the chair's

[42:11] decision if the board would would go along with that.

[42:15] » Well, we're not approving that, are we? because she just said the commissioners

[42:19] » commissioners do have to approve it, but we we recommend too.

[42:22] » Yeah, >> this is a recommendation.

[42:24] » I I don't have any opposition to it. I just think I don't think it's necessary.

[42:29] » It's not necessary. That's correct. >> It's necessary.

[42:32] » It is not necessary. It is a matter of preference.

[42:40] » Further comments, further discussion, >> it doesn't really matter. We've already

[42:43] presented it and sent it someplace. It doesn't really matter whether we whe

[42:48] whether we

[42:51] want it sent that way or not, right? Because it's already

[42:56] » It seems sir, are we not making a recommendation? Um,

[42:59] » well, I was asked to send it to the clerk to the board so she could get it

[43:05] on the agenda for Monday night, >> but it would be nice to have a

[43:10] recommendation from this board. Yes, >> that's my only challenge.

[43:17] » That's my only challenge. I don't The the numbers aren't changing. I don't

[43:20] care about that. The breaking it down. I think uh breaking it down for the public

[43:26] to be able to see how the money is being spent. Although that doesn't sound like

[43:30] the public one's going to have that, but I have a massive issue of sending

[43:34] something off without this board it coming through this board. And that is

[43:38] where I'm inclined to vote against it because of that. That's a huge issue for

[43:43] me. >> Further comments, discussion.

[43:52] Are we are we wanting to do it because the commissioners do it or is there

[43:59] there's not it's not a necessity to have it and we've never had it before and

[44:05] it's not something we're going to share with the public. Am I correct in saying

[44:09] that? >> Well, it could be. What it does do is it

[44:12] saves on FICA what the county has to pay to FICA.

[44:17] » Really? Because you do not have to pay FICA on

[44:22] sales I mean cell phone usage or travel. >> Saves who?

[44:28] » The county sending in. >> You you probably also don't have to pay

[44:32] income tax on on it if that way as well. >> That is true.

[44:37] » Um I I I don't have an issue with the

[44:40] thing, but I have a massive issue with the way it's been handled.

[44:46] » The way it's >> been handled. Oh,

[44:49] » by not coming through this board first, which it absolutely should have, and I

[44:54] can't vote in favor of it because of that.

[44:59] » So, point of clarification, it seems, are you saying I think what I

[45:05] understand Mr. White be saying is that it's already been presented to them or

[45:09] we making a recommendation if it's been suggested?

[45:13] » I was called by the chair and asked to submit it to the clerk. So, so she could

[45:18] get >> they don't need our recommendation

[45:22] » if they already have the information. >> I don't know if they have it as of yet.

[45:28] Like I said, I sent it to her. It was probably 10 minutes till 5.

[45:32] » When are they meeting again? >> Monday.

[45:34] » Monday. >> So, to be clear, the board of

[45:36] commissioners can act with or without our recommendation. They're passing the

[45:39] budget. We're simply making a recommendation. So we can remain silent

[45:44] on this issue and just if the board wants to make a recommendation on the

[45:48] entire uh budget as far as the amount we can if we don't the commissioners

[45:57] could do what they wish anyway but um we are

[46:03] the same sir I believe is asking if we would like to approve and send a

[46:08] recommendation for the budget the entire amount out

[46:13] » to the board of commissioners >> because it's not going to change. It's

[46:16] not going to change the amount. >> He won't change the amount.

[46:19] » Nothing's going to change. >> The amount the 14,400

[46:26] will not change. It will remain the same either way.

[46:32] » So there there are two issues here. There is a matter of making a

[46:38] recommendation on the entire budget that you gave us uh the 62 $22,770

[46:47] that we could make a recommendation for that budget.

[46:51] » Yes. >> And the second issue is that we could

[46:54] make a recommendation on this allocation or we could remain silent on that issue.

[46:59] Would that be fair to say? >> Yes.

[47:02] » Is there a third option? I'm not comfortable remaining silent either.

[47:08] » Third option would be to make some other recommendation if that's what the board

[47:12] wanted to do or the another option would be not to make a recommendation on the

[47:19] budget itself. >> We'll have a discussion on it and and

[47:22] see where it I'm still not seeing where it's making a difference. If it's not

[47:28] changing anything,

[47:30] » I have no opposition to the budget. I trust Paula. We've asked our questions,

[47:34] we've gotten our explanation. I'm prepared to go forward with the budget.

[47:41] But, um, you know, if something's going forward to anyone, county commissioners

[47:47] or anywhere else in the name of this board, it should be come through this

[47:51] board and not around this board. >> I agree with that.

[47:53] » And I need that on public record. >> Now, I'm not silent and I'm good to move

[47:59] on. Other comments or questions?

[48:06] All right, members. Um, it seems sir has made a recommendation

[48:13] or of $622,770

[48:19] as amended during the discussion this evening.

[48:24] If there's a motion, the motion would be for approval of this fiscal year 2627

[48:31] budget as amended this evening. >> So moved.

[48:37] » Second. >> Mo motion by Mr. White, second by Miss

[48:42] Toten. Is there further discussion or debate?

[48:47] If not, the question is the passage of budget recommendation for fiscal year

[48:54] 2627 as amended this evening. All those in favor would signify by saying I. I.

[49:00] » All oppose would say no. The eyes have it. And the recommendation is made.

[49:07] And uh that seems to conclude our agenda. Minister, do you have anything?

[49:12] Um we will be I'll be meeting with county management sometime. Normally we

[49:18] have two members to usually attend that meeting with me so you can hear what the

[49:25] county management says. Would y'all like to do the same thing this fiscal year?

[49:32] » So just decide who wants to do that. I'll let you know. Um if they have any

[49:37] changes I will let the board be aware of that. So you'll know if there's any

[49:42] changes to the budget from county management.

[49:46] » What is that date? >> I don't know yet.

[49:49] » As soon as I get some dates, I will try to send that out.

[49:56] » Can I just touch on something? I don't know how the commissioners did it and

[50:00] we're not the commissioners, but when changes are being made or suggestions

[50:05] are being made, I have to agree with Wally that the

[50:09] board needs to participate in that that should be presented to us so that we can

[50:13] have discussion on it and that's the way we've always done it. The board

[50:18] participated in those decisions and you know making those decisions. Um we're

[50:25] all a part of the board. So it is imperative that we be involved in the

[50:30] processes and the decisions.

[50:35] In other words, he's saying >> that's right.

[50:37] » In other words, he's saying um had we had a discussion about this

[50:43] before you sent, I think the comfort level would have been a lot um better.

[50:52] And I don't know how it's going to come back. You know, even if they decide,

[50:57] well, that sounds like a good idea. still we will have to make a decision as

[51:05] to whether we >> I mean I just I just think that you know

[51:11] like I said I've served on the board for four years and when decisions had to be

[51:18] made or suggestions or whatever they were always brought before the entire

[51:22] board so that discussion could be had and a decision could be made that

[51:31] everybody was in agreement with or you know

[51:36] it it just works better that way I think.

[51:42] » Okay members before we uh adjourn are there any final comments right

[51:47] » miss Titan >> no

[51:49] » Mr. White. >> No, thank you.

[51:50] » Would there entertain a motion that we adjourn?

[51:52] » Some move. >> Second. It been properly moved and

[51:56] seconded that we adjourned. All in favor say I. I. No. Eyes have it and we'll

[52:01] adjourn. Thank you members.

Board of Elections Special Called Meeting 2/24/26

Transcript