HomeMy WebLinkAboutHCBOE Board Meeting Minutes - September 4, 2012 - Regular MeetingHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
MEETING MINUTES
September 4, 2012
11:30 a.m.
Present were Chairman Walter Massey, Secretary James Currin and Member Louise Taylor.
Also present was Ted Halstead, Elections Director.
Chairman Massey called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m.
Business:
Mr. Halstead reported that the Kardveyer electric filing system had been sold, so that we could
now make full use of the space previously occupied by over 70,000 now -scanned voter
registration cards. We will also save about $2000 annually in filing system maintenance costs.
IT Director Paula Stewart and IT Specialist Walter Temple began the meeting by explaining the
technical issues relating to reporting results precinct by precinct. This was at the request of
Chairman Massey, who at the previous Board meeting had expressed concern over the prospect
of delaying reporting November General Election results until after all precincts had reported, a
concern shared by Mr. Currin and Mrs. Taylor.
Following their presentation, all Board members agreed that though the public has the right to
know election results as soon as possible, it is even more important that the information provided
be accurate. So, every effort will be made to ensure that results are reported as quickly as
possible. These steps include:
■ Having BOE staff member Claire Jones accompany Walter Temple to each polling place
in advance to test the phone lines.
■ Emphasizing to Chief Judges during training that all checklist items must be followed,
including testing phone lines used to transmit results during setup the night prior to the
election.
■ Requiring Chief Judges to designate a poll worker to travel with the backup compact
flash card with results in the event of line failure.
Board members agreed that if all these steps failed to produce results county -wide in a
reasonable time on Election Night, that we would consider releasing results precinct by precinct.
Mr. Currin noted the importance of designating an alternate polling place in the event of an
emergency, and the need to advise the County Manager of that alternate polling place's location.
Chairman Massey and Mrs. Taylor agreed with this idea. Mr. Halstead noted that he had already
given the matter some thought, and that it appeared only the BOE headquarters office would be
suitable. That is because the BOE HQ building already has a voting machine in place as well as
trained staff, has parking and is handicapped accessible. It is also already a polling place
location approved by both the State Board and the Department of Justice, since it is used for
One -Stop Early Voting.
The next meeting of the Board will be on October 2, 2012, at 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Currin moved to adjourn. Mrs. Taylor seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 a.m.
by:
Walter Massey,
Currin, Secretary
Louise Taylor, Member
RESOLUTION REGARDING PROPOSED SALES TAX REFERENDUM
WHEREAS, the Harnett County Board of Commissioners is charged with the
responsibility of obtaining funds sufficient to carry out its obligation to provide required
services to the residents of Harnett County, and has determined that revenue from a sales
tax is needed to meet this obligation; and,
WHEREAS, approval of a majority of voters resident in Harnett County through a
referendum is required for such a sales tax to take effect; and,
WHEREAS, the Harnett County Board of Elections has determined that the cost of such
a referendum would be minimized by including the referendum on the ballot for the
November 6, 2012 General Election;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Harnett County Board of Elections,
that a referendum shall be added to the November 6, 2012 General Election ballot on the
sales tax proposed by the Harnett County Board of Commissioners' resolution approved
on September 4.2012 with the following wording:
County Sales and Use Tax
Local sales and use tax at the rate of one -quarter percent (.025%) in addition to all other
y State and local sales and use taxes.
■ For
■ Against
Adopted this the 4th day of September, 2012.
A ff 1 0
Walter Masse irman
Quo aklz
Y&es Currin, Secretary
Louise Taylo , ember