Council approves $2.37 million for clerk to upgrade aging election equipment

Hamilton County Council approved a request from the clerk’s office for an additional appropriation of $2,373,661 to replace aging election equipment and update related software and iPads.

Kathy (Clerk), speaking to the council, said the county’s voting equipment has components with 25-year-old technology and parts are becoming unavailable. She told the council the state and federal sources previously paid for some components — including state-funded modules and HAVA reimbursements — but the remaining equipment is obsolete and needs replacement. On the record she said, "...we've kind of got half of our machines paid for, that way," and that replacing equipment would reduce the risk of failures on election day.

Council members asked about the annual cost to run elections and budgeting options; one member suggested using a nonrecurring fund or budgeting over multiple years to avoid a large one-time hit. The clerk said part of the reason for requesting funds now is lead time and readiness for upcoming election cycles, and that some budgeted money from the current year could be applied to cover roughly half of the cost.

A motion to approve the appropriation passed on a roll call with all members recorded as voting aye: Ken Alexander; Brad Beaver; Tim Griffin; Sue Mackey; Amy Masalomani; Steve Nation; Mark Hall.

The transcript records council discussion about planning and lead time but no public comment opposing the request.