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Clerk urges planning for new election equipment as HARP quote totals $185,890
Summary
Spencer County Clerk Lynn Hesselbrock presented a HARP Enterprises quote to replace aging ESlate equipment with Verity Scan and Verity Touch Writer systems (total estimate $185,890). The fiscal court discussed timing and payment options but took no purchase vote; HARP will be asked to present in March.
County Clerk Lynn Hesselbrock told the Fiscal Court on Feb. 1 that Spencer County's current ESlate voting machines are nearing the end of their usable life and replacement parts are becoming unavailable, and she presented a HARP Enterprises estimate to replace equipment with verifiable paper‑ballot systems.
The packet included an estimate for Verity Scan bundles (18) and Verity Touch Writer bundles (11) with a total price of $185,890. Hesselbrock said the Spencer County Board of Elections recommended purchasing new paper‑ballot equipment in an off‑election year to allow time for training and deployment before the 2022 election cycle.
Magistrates asked whether legislative changes to polling locations or early voting schedules would affect equipment needs. Hesselbrock responded that, regardless of consolidation or voting-hour changes, the county is likely to serve the same number of voters and needs equipment capable of producing paper ballots and audit trails. Several magistrates said they wanted more information on payment options, potential reductions in required units, and any e‑pollbook maintenance costs before committing county funds.
No purchase motion was made at the Feb. 1 meeting; the court requested a formal presentation by HARP at the March meeting and additional information about financing and precinct consolidation scenarios.
What happens next: HARP Enterprises has been asked to present options and county staff will return cost scenarios and potential payment plans for the court to consider before any formal appropriation or purchase.
