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County clerk proposes standalone elections-administrator post amid growing election workload
Summary
County Clerk Kelly proposed creating a full‑time elections administrator to consolidate election duties, citing increased cybersecurity, legislative change and staff turnover. Commissioners discussed posting vs appointing, reporting lines and use of existing staff; no final decision was made.
Kelly, the County Clerk, asked the court to consider creating a full‑time elections administrator (EA) to centralize and professionalize election administration. She said administering elections has become increasingly complex, with changes in law, cybersecurity requirements and operational demands that make a dedicated position appropriate.
Kelly said she has discussed the concept with TAC representatives, the county auditor Leisa Craig and County Attorney Craig Jones, and that the EA could be appointed by the Commissioners Court while reporting operationally to the county judge or the court. She suggested funding the position by reallocating a deputy salary and noted that the EA could also provide billed services to smaller municipalities or school districts.
Commissioners raised procedural and personnel issues: whether to post the job publicly or appoint an existing employee; possible reporting lines (court vs. judge); whether the voter‑registration function would transfer under the new position; and how to staff peak election periods with part‑time help (for example, Brenda Jackson). The court discussed transparency concerns about pre‑selecting a candidate and the legal risk of promising a position before posting it publicly.
No formal vote was taken. Kelly said she would continue research, circulate draft job descriptions and budget proposals, and consider a phased approach—possibly implementing the EA after October 1 or in the next budget cycle.
