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NEW CUMBERLAND -- The Hancock County Commission, on Thursday, authorized the application for a grant officials say would provide additional support to the county's election process.
Following a request from County Clerk Karan Valenti, the commission unanimously gave its blessing to the county applying for the 2023 HAVA CARES Act sub-grant.
"This would be used to buy e-pollbooks," explained Valenti, adding it was possible additional voting machines also could be purchased.
According to Valenti's request to the commission, if the grant is awarded, it would help to "bolster physical and cyber security of election processes, upgrading voting equipment and obtaining e-pollbooks."
Such equipment would allow for the county to provide an increased number of voting machines at polling locations.
The application period for the grant is set for April 10 to May 9, and Valenti explained the grant would require 50 percent matching funds.
The total cost for the purchase of five units of tabulation hardware, as well as warranties, equipment installation and support, is estimated at $21,725, according to a quote from Election Systems and Software and provided by the County Commission Office.
The purchase of 50 e-pollbooks, along with printers and other supporting hardware and software, would have a total cost of $118,620.
Commissioners explained they were only authorizing the application for the grant, adding the purchase of the equipment would be decided if the grant is approved.
"We're not guaranteed to receive this," Commissioner Eron Chek noted.
Valenti agreed, saying the county had applied for the grant last year, but did not receive it. Funds from the grant, though, had been received in 2021.
In other business, Thursday, the commission approved a request of $8,000 from the Weirton Transit Corp. for the 2023-24 fiscal year;
Continued to table a proposed amendment to the salary portion of the employee policy, as well as a request to verify county assets for the WVCorp. Insurance renewal;
Approved United Bank to serve as a depository for the commission;
Agreed to advertise for a summer intern position for the WVU Extension Office, and approved the annual memorandum of understanding with the Extension Office;
Agreed to provide $4,300 to purchase new soccer goals for the Gas Valley Sports Complex;
Approved a bid from Aster Oilfield Services, Inc. for the demolition of 504 Jefferson St., Newell;
Hired Logan Weekley as a summer groundskeeper, effective May 1;
Approved an internal budget revision and a general county budget revision for the 2022-23 fiscal year;
Approved establishing a lease threshold according to GASB-87 guidelines
Accepted the resignation of Philip Poling as election clerk, effective April 17, and approved Poling's accrued personal and vacation pay;
Agreed to hire Kayla Welshhans as deputy clerk for the County Clerk's Office, effective May 16, and Samantha Tate as deputy clerk, effective May 1;
Appointed Martha Elder as chief deputy of the Circuit Clerk's Office, effective April 1
Hired Scott Hicks as security/bailiff, effective May 1.