Clerk outlines larger election-year budget, MicroVote costs and VVPAT workload; stipend noted under Indiana code

Pulaski County’s clerk presented the clerk and election board budgets, emphasizing higher costs in an election year and the operational burden created by VVPAT and other paper-reliant systems.

The clerk said the base clerk budget changed little except for payroll percentage increases, but the election board budget rose to account for the 2026 midterm election. Line items increased for poll worker pay, absentee voting and early voting staffing, meals and MicroVote services. The clerk said MicroVote will program voting machines and have on-site representation when machines move to the courthouse to ensure seals and checks are performed.

The clerk described VVPAT requirements and the operational strain: VVPAT printers and poll-pad receipts require staff to change paper during early voting and on election day, and those tasks often fall to the clerk during long work days. The clerk also noted a stipend available under Indiana code of up to $2,500 in years a general election is held to cover travel and extra duties; the clerk said the stipend was not included in the current draft budget and requested clarification.

The clerk discussed the perpetuation fund balance and an outstanding invoice tied to a scanning/copying project; she said about $43,000 remained in the perpetuation fund and that some ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds had been earmarked for pending costs. She said the remainder of an invoice would likely wait until the courthouse move and that ARPA spending deadlines (projects must be paid out by 2026) affect timing.

No vote or formal action was recorded during the clerk’s presentation; the clerk invited commissioners and council members to request further breakdowns of line items and to contact her with questions.