Harnett County forwards elections budget to commissioners; workers to get $15 increase, outreach position omitted

The Harnett County Board of Elections on May 6 reported that the county budget for the elections office has been forwarded to the county commissioners and posted on the county website. The director told the board that the recommended budget includes a $15 pay increase for election workers but does not include the additional outreach position the elections office requested.

The director said county administration is not recommending the outreach position when submitting the budget to the commissioners and that the decision whether to add the position rests with the commissioners. Staff described the omission as part of broader efforts to balance the county budget; no further justification for the omission was supplied in the meeting record.

The director said there will be a public input session at one of the commissioners’ meetings for members of the public to review the budget and provide comment. The director said Brent is aiming to have the commissioners approve the final budget at their June 16 meeting but noted that line items can still be pulled and changes are possible during the commissioners’ review.

During the meeting the board approved the minutes from its April 1 meeting after a motion and second; the transcript records an oral “Aye” for approval. At the close of the meeting the board moved to adjourn; the meeting was adjourned at 5:07 p.m.

The director did not provide a full line‑item breakdown in the meeting and did not identify the proposed salary schedule for the outreach position because it was not recommended to move forward. The public was directed to the county website to review the budget documents and to contact the commissioners directly if they wish to urge restoration of the outreach position.