Election commission reports higher-than-expected costs; committee orders one-month benchmark and allows transfers

Summary

The county's election office told the budget committee it exceeded budgeted amounts for election workers and overtime after a larger turnout and new voting equipment requirements. The committee approved an amendment allowing the office to reallocate existing line items and requested a benchmark comparison with peer counties within one month.

Sumner County's election officials told the Budget Committee that the office exceeded budget line items for election workers and overtime after the most recent election, and the committee approved a short-term plan to avoid unpaid bills while staff compiles a benchmark of peer counties.

At the meeting, the election official clarified a public comment about "data processing": "I just want to clarify for anyone that is in the room ... that has absolutely nothing to do with our voting machines being connected to the Internet. That is an absolute incorrect fact. ... Our voting machines are never connected to Internet," the elections representative said, responding directly to a member of the public.

Committee members and staff reviewed two large overages the elections office reported: election workers (the office cited $52,007.21 in overage on that line) and overtime (about $4,561 over budget,…

Election commission reports higher-than-expected costs; committee orders one-month benchmark and allows transfers

Summary

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