Madison County Board of Elections Meeting Minutes - Regular Session  April 19th, 2023  The Madison County Board of Elections held their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday April 19th, 2023, at Suite E, Room 16, 5707 US25-70 Hwy, Marshall, 28753. In attendance: Jerry' Wallin, Chair; Ray Lewis, Secretary; Dyatt Smathers, Member; Brian Ball, Member; Debbie Ponder, Member; Jacob Ray, Director; Larry Leake, Retired District  Court. Judge; and two members oft the public.  Call to Order:  Chair Wallin called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.  Agenda:  Motion (DS, BB) to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).  Board Member Appointment:  Deborah Ponder, upon appointment by the State Board of Elections, was sworn to fill the vacant Board Member's  position.. Judge Larry Leake administered Deborah Ponder's oath of office.  Minutes:  Motion (BB, RL) to approve March 15, 2023 meeting minutes and executive session meeting minutes as presented. The  motion passed (5-0). Members' Report:  Secretary Lewis welcomed new member Debbie Ponder to the Board of Elections. Member Ball welcomed new member Debbie Ponder to the Board of Elections.  Member Smathers welcomed newr member Debbie Ponder to the Board of Elections. Member Smathers reviewed the recent history of the Board of Elections and covered the core principles of the Board of Elections. Member Smathers reported on a meeting hel had with Representative Mark Pless and the status of NC House Bill 264.  Chair Wallin welcomed new member Debbie Ponder to the Board of Elections.  Member Ponder expressed her appreciation of the appointment to the Board of Elections and is looking forward to  working with the members oft the Board.  Discussion ensued about the status of NC House Bill 264.    Director's Report:  The Director recapped his visit to the Marshall Housing Authority Office. Accommodations will be made to make Marshall Housing Authority Office suitable for the 2023 Municipal Election Cycle in Marshall. The Director presented the Budget Expenditure Report and answered board members questions.  The Director summarized his NCADE (North Carolina Association of Directors of Elections) conference. Poll worker  recruitment and retention were highlighted throughout the conference.  Public Comment:  Cheryl Williams commented on NC General Assembly bill that would affect NC State Board of Elections funding. Vice Chair of the Madison Democratic Party, Graeme Frelick introduced himself to the Board of Elections and reviewed Motion (DS, JW) to enter Executive Session to discuss personnel. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).  what the newly elected officers are working on for the Madison Democratic Party.  New Business:  Motion (DS, BB) to set the pay rate of temporary office Assistant Kathy Ray to 17.14 an hour and pay any fees associated with Certified Elections/Registration Administrator (CERA) recertification. The motion passed unanimously (5-0). Motion (DS, JW) to compensate the Director a stipend in the amount $ 500.00 for extra time spent since Christmas for maintaining the office. Use funds from line item 4170.1210 "Salaries." The motion passed unanimously (5-0).  Motion (BB, RL) to adjourn at 4:27 p.m. The motion was passed unanimously (5-0).  Ake -gh