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Board of Elections to hire consultant
By Francesca Olsen
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
COLUMBIA COUNTY — The full board of supervisors gave the go-ahead to the Columbia County Board of Elections (BOE) Oct. 14 to form a contract “for consulting services related to general office and staff management.” The contract is worth about $12,000, and the money will be paid out of contingency, unless it can come out of Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funding.
The resolution took its final form in the finance committee, held at 6 p.m. before the full board meeting. The consultant will be Nancy Schultz Consulting, Inc.; services will cost $175 per hour, not to exceed 70 hours.
The resolution states that the BOE had “experienced a variety of issues and complications, and as a result, the board of elections has deemed it necessary to consult with an objective professional.”
Minority Leader Doug McGivney, D-Kinderhook, told the finance committee that during the primary, a letter was sent to the county BOE from the state BOE. “Veterans’ ballots are over a week late...I think it’s crucial that we have someone here during election time so they can see what’s happening.”
A rate of $175 per hour over 70 hours is about $12,000, and some supervisors said a lower rate, with another consultant, might be possible. Majority Leader Betty Young, R-Taghkanic, said she had spoken with a state BOE representative who said the state has professionals who would perform the same services, likely at a lower rate.
In the past month, the county BOE employees have had conflicts over the filing and approval of time sheets, and multiple problems have come to attention over the last few months; Republican Commissioner of Elections Don R. Kline said he had met with the county’s Human Resources department, who recommended a consultant step in.
“That is what the intent of this individual is: to improve the processes in the office,” he told the finance committee.
The consultant the county hired has already been in the BOE office; Kline said the consultant knew that a resolution from the full board would be needed to do additional work.
Democratic Commissioner of Elections Virginia Martin said a subcommittee was formed in May to choose a consultant candidate, so the county should stick to the decision it had already made.
Additionally, Martin said, if the resolution was not passed in October, a consultant couldn’t be formally hired until after the upcoming election was over.
“(Elections) are their busiest time,” said Supervisor Leo Pulcher, R-Stockport. “(The consultant) would be able to see what is going on at that time.”
Kline said he didn’t think the funding for the consultant would be available in the BOE’s budget. “At this point and time, our budget does not include funding for this project,” he said.
Whether to use contingency funds or whether the consultant could be paid for by HAVA funding was brought up. “I think we can make the case that HAVA has so greatly increased our workload that we need this,” Martin said.
“Both commissioners have accepted working with this person,” said Supervisor Roy Brown, R-Germantown. “I suggest moving forward with this resolution.”
The resolution was approved by both finance and full board, to be funded by contingency, unless the BOE can get approval to use HAVA funding.
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com.
The resolution took its final form in the finance committee, held at 6 p.m. before the full board meeting. The consultant will be Nancy Schultz Consulting, Inc.; services will cost $175 per hour, not to exceed 70 hours.
The resolution states that the BOE had “experienced a variety of issues and complications, and as a result, the board of elections has deemed it necessary to consult with an objective professional.”
Minority Leader Doug McGivney, D-Kinderhook, told the finance committee that during the primary, a letter was sent to the county BOE from the state BOE. “Veterans’ ballots are over a week late...I think it’s crucial that we have someone here during election time so they can see what’s happening.”
A rate of $175 per hour over 70 hours is about $12,000, and some supervisors said a lower rate, with another consultant, might be possible. Majority Leader Betty Young, R-Taghkanic, said she had spoken with a state BOE representative who said the state has professionals who would perform the same services, likely at a lower rate.
In the past month, the county BOE employees have had conflicts over the filing and approval of time sheets, and multiple problems have come to attention over the last few months; Republican Commissioner of Elections Don R. Kline said he had met with the county’s Human Resources department, who recommended a consultant step in.
“That is what the intent of this individual is: to improve the processes in the office,” he told the finance committee.
The consultant the county hired has already been in the BOE office; Kline said the consultant knew that a resolution from the full board would be needed to do additional work.
Democratic Commissioner of Elections Virginia Martin said a subcommittee was formed in May to choose a consultant candidate, so the county should stick to the decision it had already made.
Additionally, Martin said, if the resolution was not passed in October, a consultant couldn’t be formally hired until after the upcoming election was over.
“(Elections) are their busiest time,” said Supervisor Leo Pulcher, R-Stockport. “(The consultant) would be able to see what is going on at that time.”
Kline said he didn’t think the funding for the consultant would be available in the BOE’s budget. “At this point and time, our budget does not include funding for this project,” he said.
Whether to use contingency funds or whether the consultant could be paid for by HAVA funding was brought up. “I think we can make the case that HAVA has so greatly increased our workload that we need this,” Martin said.
“Both commissioners have accepted working with this person,” said Supervisor Roy Brown, R-Germantown. “I suggest moving forward with this resolution.”
The resolution was approved by both finance and full board, to be funded by contingency, unless the BOE can get approval to use HAVA funding.
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com.
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