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Commissioners press staff for cost details on proposed election-day pay increases
Summary
Commissioners questioned a resolution proposing 30–50% pay increases for some election-day positions and asked staff to provide total cost estimates and invite the election commission to the Aug. 19 meeting. Staff said the election commission does not expect a budget amendment this year but costs will rise in future cycles.
A resolution (826-16) seeking to increase compensation for Hamilton County election-day officials drew repeated questions from commissioners about the total cost and whether a budget amendment would be required.
"The resolution does break down by position the current cost versus the requested cost, but I do not know how many hours or days we're talking about," said a county staff member, noting the election commission told staff a budget amendment would not be necessary for this year. Commissioners pressed for a single total cost figure and for staff to bring an election commission representative to provide details.
Commissioner Eversole called the proposal "a blank check" and asked the administration to add an overall cost figure to the agenda caption. Commissioner Graham asked whether the election commission had the money in its current budget and whether the increases would affect the upcoming election; staff replied that the changes would take effect after approval and not retroactively for the election concluding the next day.
Chairman Smith asked Mister Browner to contact election officials and have them attend the Aug. 19 meeting with a full cost breakdown and comparative pay rates from neighboring jurisdictions.
The commission did not take a vote on the resolution at the agenda meeting; staff said additional details would be provided before the full commission meeting on Aug. 19.
