HCBOE Board Meeting Minutes - March 2 2021 - Regular MeetingHARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 2, 2021
4:00 P.M.
Present were; Board Chairman Tony Spears, Secretary Lin Coker, Members: Steve Blackburn,
Betsy McCormick, Jim Currin and Director Claire Jones.
Mr. Spears called the meeting to order at 4:10 pm with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes:
The Board reviewed the minutes from February 2, 2021. After some discussion, Mrs.
McCormick moved to approve the minutes. Mr. Blackburn seconded. Approved without dissent.
Business:
Mrs. Jones submitted to the Board the budget for fiscal year 21-22. The Budget is due to County
Admin on March 8 and Mrs. Jones will have a budget meeting with County Admin on March 15
to review. After some discussion, Mr. Currin moved to approve the FY 21-22 budget. Mr.
Blackburn seconded. Approved without dissent. Mrs. Jones stated she will forward the Zoom
link to all Board members so they can attend the budget meeting if interested.
Mrs. Jones informed the Board that currently the Census Data release will be delayed until
September. This will affect election filing and election dates as mentioned in the previous
meeting. On February 24, SBOE Director Karen Brinson -Bell met with legislatures to discuss
moving all municipal elections to 2022 and to move the 2022 Primary from March to May. No
decision has been made.
The Board reviewed CTCL purchases. Items include:
• Curbside voting items
o Bells
o Tents
o Handheld two way radios
o Tables
• Election site signs
• Election site printers
• Voting Booths
• Ballot Carts/ Bags
• Traffic Cones
Mrs. Jones informed the Board that the State Board of Elections increased the amount of the
HAVA funds for Harnett County to $100,000. The funds are to be used to improve elections in
Harnett County. Due to having the CTCL Grant to purchase supplies, two options for the HAVA
funds are increasing building security and/or purchasing new voting equipment. Mrs. Jones
stated that the Board can still begin the process of purchasing new voting equipment, per
Numbered Memo 2021-01 while they wait to get a reply from the County Commissioners
concerning a new building. After some discussion, Mr. Coker moved to begin the process to
acquire new equipment and to view the public demonstration of Hart and ES&S on March 10
and March 11, respectively. Mr. Currin seconded. Approved without dissent.
The Board discussed the need to update their regular meeting location. Due to space concerns at
the current BOE office, there is a need to move to a location that can accommodate the Board
and public. Mrs. Jones informed the Board that County Admin approves of them using the
training room at the Harnett County Resource Center. Mrs. McCormick moved to update the
regular Board meetings to the Harnett County Resource Center. Mr. Coker seconded. Approved
without dissent.
Mrs. Jones informed the Board that an offer for the Election Technician position was made and
accepted by Jessica Higgenbotham. She worked part time in the office through the General
Election and should transition smoothly. Also, the Election Specialist position is currently posted
and open for applicants.
The Board discussed evaluation form options for the Director. Mrs. Jones will draft the
documents for the Board to review at the next meeting.
With no further business to discuss, Mr. Currin moved to adjourn. Mrs. McCormick seconded.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:23 pm.
The Board will hold special virtual meetings to view demonstrations of certified voting
equipment on:
Hart — Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. and/or at 4:00 p.m.
ES&S — Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. and/or 2:00 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Board is April 6 at 4:00 pm at the Harnett County Resource
Center training room.
Approved by:
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Lin Coker, Secretary
Steve Blackburn, Member
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Betsy McCormick, Member
Currin, Member