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Charlotte County approves one full‑time deputy registrar to bolster elections staffing
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Summary
The Board approved converting two part‑time deputy positions into a single full‑time deputy registrar after Director of Elections Jenni Booth warned of staffing losses and rising early‑voting demand; the move will increase annual personnel costs by roughly $10,000, officials said.
The Charlotte County Board of Supervisors voted July 10 to allow Director of Elections and General Registrar Jenni Booth to hire one full‑time deputy registrar with benefits to replace the two existing part‑time deputy positions.
Booth told the Board she had lost one part‑time employee to a full‑time job and that her remaining part‑time worker will leave July 19, leaving the office vulnerable as early voting continues. "I’d like to advertise in the $32,000–34,000 with benefits range," Booth said, explaining a full‑time deputy would provide five‑day‑a‑week office coverage and require training to carry out deputy registrar duties and follow federal and state elections rules.
County Administrator Daniel Witt said the current two part‑time employees work 24 hours each per week at $15 an hour, providing 48 hours of coverage; converting to a single full‑time position would reduce total coverage to 37.5 hours per week and increase annual personnel costs by about $10,000, with an estimated salary cost of roughly $30,000–30,200 based on comparable pay‑grade minimums.
Supervisors pressed on operational coverage and salary comparables. Supervisor Hazel Bowman Smith asked whether regular office operations could be maintained with two employees; Booth replied most comparable offices have at least one full‑time employee. Supervisor Noah Davis emphasized the importance of keeping the Registrar’s Office staffed in light of increased early voting.
A motion by Supervisor Noah Davis, seconded by Supervisor Derek Toombs, carried with all members present voting aye to approve Booth’s request to hire one full‑time deputy registrar based on the salary guidance presented by Administrator Witt. Booth will proceed to advertise and recruit within the authorized range.
The Board did not specify an exact start date for the new hire; funding will come from the county’s operating budget and Administrator Witt noted it would increase recurring staffing costs going forward.