The Jim Wells County Commissioners Court authorized the county judge to enter a master agreement with Hart Intercivic, Inc. (Austin) for voting hardware, machines and software support, and approved a finance contract with Government Capital Corporation to fund the purchase and support.

Elections staff described operational changes that will accompany the agreement: three additional machines will allow service for 14 locations (the county currently uses 11), the vendor will provide on-site support for logic and accuracy testing and training, and the county will no longer need to order as many preprinted ballots, reducing storage and destruction needs after elections. As the elections presenter stated, “it’s gonna be 14 locations. We currently have 11 locations.”

The court approved a financing arrangement for $348,059 with a three-year payment schedule; staff clarified the contract cannot be executed until the vendor is certified. An elections staff member told the court, “The contract cannot be signed until certification.” Commissioners voted to approve both the master agreement authorization (subject to certification) and the financing motion.