Monroe County election board asks commissioners to approve $11,988 accessibility audit for polling places

The Monroe County Election Board voted Nov. 6 to request that the County Commissioners approve a contract with BlueDAG to audit county polling places for Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility ahead of the 2026 elections.

Michael Shermas, ADA coordinator for the City of Bloomington’s Community and Family Resources Department, moved that the board "accept the BlueJeck services and ask them to give us an expedited contract that we can take before the commissioners, so that we have their services for the 2026 year." The motion was seconded by Frank Andrew, who was chairing the meeting as a proxy for Danny Shields.

Board members discussed cost and timing. A board member stated, "the public would know that it's $11,988," and Andrew said Shermas had negotiated a substantial discount to allow a partnership among the city, county and BlueDAG. Members noted the funds identified are in the current contractual budget year but that the auditing work would occur in 2026. Staff warned the budget year ends in mid-December and urged a rapid submission to the county attorney so the commissioners could consider the contract before that deadline.

Clerk Ashley called the roll; Nicole Brown, Frank Andrew and Penny Givens voted yes. The board’s action was a request to the County Commissioners; the commissioners retain final approval authority for county contracts.

Board members asked Shermas to request an expedited contract from BlueDAG immediately so staff could route it to the county attorney and commissioners. Sheriff motion-related next steps and schedule decisions will depend on the commissioners’ agenda availability and the county attorney’s review.

The board also discussed adding routine project updates to future agendas while the county completes procurement and contracting steps.