MADISON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS REGULAR SESSION Board of Elections Conference Room Wednesday, December 14, 2016 3:001 PM  MINUTES CALLTOORDER  Chair Smathers called the meeting of thel Madison County Board of Elections to order at 3:00 p.m. at the Board of Elections Conference Room. In attendance were 2 members of the public; Dyatt F. Smathers, Chair; Ray Lewis, Secretary; Jerry Wallin, Member; Wade Gahagan, Deputy Director; and Kathy Ray, Director.  AGENDA  Moved, Seconded (RL,JW) and Carried (3,0) to set the agenda.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES  Moved, Seconded (RL,JW) and Carried (3,0) to approve the November 17 and 18, 2016 meetings minutes.  CHAIR'S REPORT  The Chair wished all present al Merry Christmas and encouraged a restful holiday season as the upcoming 2017 election year has thej potential to be much more active than previously anticipated. The Chair commented that the potential for additional elections in 2017 will require asking for more money int the upcoming budget proposal. Member Wallin commented about the potential for al House/Senate 2017 Election in the fall. Secretary Lewis commented that it had been aj pleasure serving on the Board during this election year.  MEMBERS' REPORTS  DIRECTOR'S REPORT  The November 30, 2016 budget and expenditure report was presented. The Director reported that the $4920 refund for the barcode scanners has been moved from the revenue line item to the 4170.2610 expenditure line item for office supplies. Excess funds int the office supplies line item will be shifted tot the travel, travel subsistence, and training line items to cover expenses for the two upcoming State Board conferences and the Certified Elections Registration and The Director reported on thel District NCADE meeting. Directors discussed the need to budget for a primary, general, and municipal elections and equipment expenses in the 2016-20171 budget proposals. Directors requested that Trena Parker (Buncombe County) present information toi iVotronic counties regarding the conversion to paper balloting. The  Administration (CERA) training in the spring.  presentation will likely be scheduled for early February.  The Deputy Director presented the Board with a 2017 Election calendar of activities.  The Director informed the Board that American Securities will be on site Friday, December 16"t to destroy election documents that have lost administrative value (i.e., training documents, personnel records, voter registration documents,  blank ballots from the primary elections, and other miscellaneous administrative documents.)  Page 1of2    Thel Deputy Director reported on the State Board of Elections provisional research audit. Following a review of the voter records, correct decisions were made by the Board in all cases and no amendments were necessary to the original canvass Thel Director presented the Board with the age ranges oft the 2017 Election Officials. The data was collected at the request  documents.  oft the State Board of Elections. NEW BUSINESS  Moved, Seconded (RL,JW) and Carried (3,0) to approve a $200 bonus for Temporary Office. Assistant Jacob Ray, Deputy Director Wade Gahagan, Director Kathy Ray, Board Member Jerry Wallin, Secretary Ray Lewis, and Chair! Dyatt Smathers. The bonus funds are to be taken from the 4170.1260: salaries temp line item. The busy election  season and additional work of conducting a statewide recount prompted the action.  CITIZEN COMMENTS  A citizen expressed appreciation for The News Record and Sentinel Editor Paul Eggers, The News Record and Sentinel, and The Asheville Citizen-Times for printing articles that gave information about what the Boards of] Elections actually do toj prepare for and hold elections. She said that she isa a member of the League of Women Voters, a group that does not act inap partisan manner or treat candidates different, and commended Board Members Ray Lewis and Chair Dyatt Smathers for conducting themselves as impartially as she has wanted. She elaborated that the Board of Elections is a non-partisan  office and politics should not be allowed to enter into something as important as voting rights.  A citizen explained the difference inj partisan and non-partisan activities.  The Chair expressed appreciation for the citizen support and input, and expressed that it (the Board of Elections) is aj place  that needs observers and people who are engaged.  ADJOURNMENT  The next Board of Elections meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 11,2017. Moved, Seconded (JW, RL) and Carried (3,0) to adjourn at 3:48P.M.  i Dyatt Smathers,  Kathy  Bayibui Raylewis, Secretary  S  Page 2 of2