County’s new voting machines on their way
Commissioners approve purchase after changing vendors
LOCK HAVEN — It looks like new voting machines are finally on their way to Clinton County.
The Clinton County Commissioners on Thursday unanimously approved a $351,481 sales agreement with Electronic Systems and Software (ES&S) to provide the county with updated voting machine equipment, software, installation and training, along with a five-year warranty, disposal of old equipment, and one year of maintenance and licensing.
The purchase of new voting machines was delayed when the county changed courses and decided to purchase the machines from another vendor.
Initially, the county seemed to have settled on Dominion Voting Systems. But after further investigation and discussion, the Clinton County Board of Elections decided against Dominion and came to an agreement with ES&S.
“We had a conversation with other counties and the Department of State about Dominion and their scanners proving to be inadequate. The contract included 37 of these scanners. Their scanners are as much as 25 seconds slower than the scanners of other companies. We came to realize that we would have needed more scanners than we were quoted, as many as 50,” Director of Voter Registration and Elections Maria Boileau said at a previous meeting. “It was a $59,000 increase over what we were quoted the first round, and there was a close bid from ES&S. We double checked and we felt their equipment is more efficient, lighter, and of better quality.”
Commissioner Robert “Pete” Smeltz said a contract was never signed with Dominion.
The Clinton County Election Board, which consists of Smeltz, court administrator Don Powers and President Judge Craig P. Miller, is responsible for making decisions involving this election year since commissioners Jeff Snyder and Paul Conklin are up for re-election. Smeltz is not seeking another term.
“After much discussion and evaluation, the election board has vetted this contract with ES&S, our solicitor has vetted the contract and with Maria’s input, we will move forward. To be clear, we will not have these new machines in place for the primary election, but they will be ready by the fall general election. There will be a training process and demonstration days possibly for the public to attend,” Smeltz explained.
Snyder noted that the price is lower than the $450,000 the county had budgeted, but there could be more supplies they need further down the road.
Boileau said that “privacy stations” may be required, but said that ES&S will provide training and be available on election day.
“That is in the contract,” she said.
County chief clerk Jann Meyers noted that the contract has already been signed by the Election Board, and the commissioners’ job is to approve the purchase based on that recommendation.
In other business:
– Commissioner Snyder addressed the situation of a large concrete safe the county has made available. The safe, weighs approximately 2,500 pounds, and is 5’8″ high and 18 inches deep. It was posted for sale at the courthouse recently, but the window passed and the county received no bids.
Snyder said several people have come forward showing interest in the safe, but they said they did not know it had been made available. Snyder said any interested parties are to contact him at jsnyder@clintoncountypa.com with a name, phone number, and their highest offer on the safe.
The county will accept the highest amount offered by 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, May 9, and the high bidder will be responsible for picking it up from the basement at the courthouse within one week. It was noted that the lock has been disassembled, and the buyer may need a locksmith to repair it.
– The board approved a contract between the county and the Eastern Lycoming Branch YMCA for child care services for Children and Youth, effective April 17, 2019 to June 30, 2020, and a proposal from Morefield Communications for Singlewire Paging Service at the cost of $1,986, effective July 12, 2019 to July 11, 2020.
– They also paid county bills in the amount of $981,064.34, and net payroll in the amount of $303,477.19, for the period ending May 3, 2019.
Bill invoices over $10,000 included:
– Payment of $26,451.22 to Aramark for food service at the Clinton County Correctional Facility.
– Payment of $114,800.23 to CCAP Unemployment Compensation Trust for Pa. unemployment compensation.
– Payment of $36,727.87 to CODY Computer Services, Inc., for annual support.
– Payment of $279,594.31 to Delaware Valley Health Insurance Trust for health insurance.
– Payment of $30,269.20 to DVHIT for HRA/Health.
– Payment of $42,576.57 to Keystone Central Tax Office for payroll taxes.
– Payment of $13,564.86 to the Penn State University Agriculture Extension for contracted services to K. Dubbs and V. Smith.
– Payment of $16,666.66 to Ross Library for March and April 2019 allocation.
– Payment of $200,000 to SEDA-COG for Affordable Housing Fund/CDBG funds, land acquisition of Susquehannock Heights.
– Payment of $14,942.72 to Stiffler McGraw for work done on Phase IV of the Bald Eagle Valley Rail Trail.
– Payment of $15,416.26 to Wayne Township Municipal Authority for CCCF and sewers.
– Payment of $30,473 to Woods Services, Inc., for Children and Youth Services and residential treatment.