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County approves single-source purchase of new tabulators and ballot-marking devices despite procedural concern
Summary
Finney County approved up to $348,915 to replace aging DS200 tabulators and express-vote ballot-marking devices with DS300 tabulators and updated devices via single-source procurement from Election Systems & Software. One commissioner voiced concern that a procurement of this size should have followed a different process.
Finney County commissioners authorized a single-source procurement not to exceed $348,915 to replace aging voting equipment, including DS300 tabulators and updated ExpressVote ballot-marking devices, citing end-of-life concerns for current DS200 units.
County Clerk Dory Munan told the board the county’s DS200 tabulators (purchased 2016) have reached their manufacturer-estimated useful life of about 10 years and have experienced age-related performance issues. The recommended procurement would pay $8,300 from the clerk technology fund for upgraded reporting software and $340,615 from the election equipment reserve fund to cover hardware, for a total not to exceed $348,915.
Munan said the county did not go out to bid because the proposed purchase would replace only components of an existing certified system and a full-system replacement would be substantially more expensive. She also noted the county applied for a state security-enhancement grant that could reimburse up to 90% of the cost depending on statewide awards.
A commissioner said they would vote no—not because the equipment was unnecessary but because “we could have a better process in making a purchase of this size.” Despite the objection, the motion to approve the single-source procurement carried by voice vote.
The county will trade in existing equipment where allowable; Munan said trade-in and potential grant reimbursement would be deposited back into the election equipment reserve if received. The clerk’s technology fund balance and reserve balances cited at the meeting indicate sufficient funds are available for the purchase without drawing on general-tax dollars.
Next steps: staff will execute purchase under single-source procurement authority and pursue any eligible state grant reimbursement; if awarded, reimbursements will be returned to the election equipment reserve.
