The Board of Elections met on March 4. Board Chair Randy Howard claimed his requests to add bylaw discussion, the June 25 Public Service Commission Election, and website discussion as agenda items was ignored. Election Supervisor LaSandra Patterson responded. “I didn’t respond because I had it up under my report.”

Howard replied; “Not bylaws or the website.”

HR Director Deatrice Harris addressed the Board. “I don’t know if there’s an ordinance or anything that [discusses] how the Elections Board is compensated. I know that we normally pay you all once a year in January.” She asked if there was a procedure covering pay details. “Are board members compensated per meeting, or are they paid on a monthly basis? Also, would you all like to be paid yearly, annually or quarterly?” She stated they were W2 employees.

Board Attorney Hayden Hooks commented. “They’re not employees, they don’t get benefits. . .they’re probably misclassified right now.”

Howard referenced a local bill deciding on pay once per year at the end of the year.

Hooks commented. “The Local Act says that the members of the Board shall . . . not be compensated except as authorized by written resolution of the Board of Commissioners.” She stated they needed to get a copy of the resolution.

When asked if any of the votes during the coroner recount were counted by an outside contractor, Howard replied; “our attorney asked us not to discuss that at all.” He stated questions could be sent to Hooks.

When asked if any of the votes for the coroner race were recounted by an outside contractor, Hooks replied; “The Board utilized the services of a technical support technician to assist Ms. Patterson in conducting the recount. The Board has used outside technical support to assist in elections for the past several years.”