Counsel explains OCGA 21-2-213.1 applies to boards of registrars; board discusses stipend history

Board counsel reviewed state code language and explained why OCGA 21-2-213.1 — the provision discussed by board members — applies to county boards of registrars, not to counties that have boards of elections and registration.

Daniel White, the board’s counsel, said the statute authorizes the governing authority of a county to provide contingent monthly expenses "for the operation of the office of the board of registrars." He explained the code distinguishes courthouse-appointed boards of registrars (where the superior court judge appoints three to five registrars) from counties that have established a board of elections and registration; the code’s provisions for registrars predate many modern boards of elections and registration. White said the code section is permissive — it authorizes payments for registrars but does not mandate them — and that the state’s requirement this past July for all counties to create boards of elections and registration has reduced the role of the old registrar provisions.

Board members noted that the board’s current stipend practice is public knowledge: members receive $150 per month and the chair receives $200 per month. Members discussed whether to research stipends in similarly sized counties such as DeKalb and Fulton and whether to take the topic up at a future meeting. The chair said staff had previously investigated comparable stipends and would provide data if members wanted to pursue changes.

No formal motion or change to stipends was made at the meeting; counsel’s review was presented as background information and a follow-up item for future consideration if the board chooses to pursue it.