Iredell commissioners delay vote on new ADA elections system and software

Posted on by Mike Fuhrman

BY KARISSA MILLER

Iredell County commissioners have delayed a request to approve a sole-source purchase of new ADA elections systems and software.

Commissioners, who tabled a vote on the purchase decision until May 4 during Tuesday’s board meeting, want to give citizens a chance to provide feedback and learn more about the equipment.

County Manager Beth Jones emphasized that this matter pertains to replacing ADA equipment only. Other equipment used during local elections is not being changed at this time .

The ADA equipment will print out a ballot so that voters can see it and feed it into the tabulator.

To help give citizens an idea of the new equipment, county officials are looking into purchasing a video demonstration will be posted to the county’s website.

The current equipment was purchased in 2006 and replacement parts are no longer available.

Elections Systems and Software (ESS) has offered a quote of approximately $163,076, including a $6,000 customer loyalty discount and trade-in allowance for the old equipment, for purchase of the ExpressVote terminal, supporting equipment and software and the implementation and installation.

OTHER BUSINESS

Also, during the meeting, the board:

• Approved a request from Emergency Communications for approval of the Alexander County 911 Backup Memorandum of Understanding. This is a renewal of an agreement entered into in 2016.

• Approved a request from Animal Services for approval of budget amendment #43 and to accept a Petco Grant in the amount of $15,000. No match is required for the grant. This will allow Animal Services to initiate a trap neuter and return program within the county and in an effort to reduce the number of animals coming into the shelter.

• Approved a request from the Health Department for approval of budget amendment #42 for Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity Enhancing Detection Activities Grant in the amount of $1,456,100.

• Approved a request from the Health Department for approval of the Fee Policy and Proposed Fees for 2021-22. A majority of the fees will remain the same as last year, including some minor price savings for various forms of birth control.

• Approved a request from Planning and Development to consider calling for a public hearing on May 4, 2021, at 7 p.m. in regard to a request by Michael Nelin to release zoning and subdivision jurisdiction to the Town of Mooresville.

• Approved a request from Planning and Development for approval of an Interlocal Agreement and continued partnership with the Lake Norman Regional Transportation Commission.

• Approved a request from the Finance Department to adopt the FY2021-2022 funding plan for the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council.

• Approved a request from Iredell County Economic Development Corporation to extend the Economic Development Agreement for Pactiv, LLC to December 31, 2021.

• Approved a request for adoption of a Resolution Regarding the Waiver of Penalties on Business Personal Property Listings.