Board approves Supervisor of Elections’ request to use $457,867 in reserves for tabulators and system upgrades
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Summary
The county approved a budget resolution allowing Supervisor of Elections Vicky Davis to use $457,867 accumulated in a reserve account for 50 new tabulators, servers and management workstations; staff said the machines are paper‑based tabulators required by state guidance and building renovations will not finish before the 2026 election.
The Martin County Board approved a request from the Supervisor of Elections to use $457,867 in previously accumulated reserve fees to purchase 50 high‑speed tabulators and associated server and software upgrades. Supervisor Vicky Davis told the board the machines remain paper‑based consistent with the state’s mandate and that the funds were set aside over years expressly for equipment replacement.
Davis said the vendor options in Florida are limited to two companies and the replacement project includes server upgrades and software; construction of building renovations to house equipment had begun but would not be completed in time for the 2026 election. Commissioners questioned pricing and timing; Davis replied the procurement process and available vendors constrained choices. The board voted to approve the request unanimously.
The clerk's office and OMB staff noted the purchase uses accumulated reserves rather than general fund appropriations.