MADISON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS MADISON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS TIUASDAVSEPTEMEER 12, ,2019  SPECIAL SESSION ROOM 16 2:001 PM  PRESENT. ATTHE MEETING  Jerry Wallin, Chair; Sandra Tolley, Member; Brian Ball, Member; Dyatt Smathers, Member (telephonic participation); Kathy Ray, Director; Wade Gahagan, Deputy Director; Matthew Wechtel, Commissioner; Norris Gentry, County Commissioner Chair; Forrest Gilliam, County Manager; Mandy Bradley, Clerk to Board of Commissioners; and' Tom and  Barbara Coulson, Members of the Public.  CALLTOORDER  Chair Wallin called the meeting to order at 2:001 PM.  AGENDA  Chair Wallin stated the purpose of the meeting was to determine which type OfADA ballot marking device the county should adopt and acquire, given the recent certification ofnew voting equipment. He commented that the voting equipment demonstrations in Haywood County provided a lot of good information. He noted that any available AutoMark Ballot Marking Devices for purchase will be refurbished equipment that willl likely be phased out over the next five years. The ExpressVote Ballot Marking Device is newer technology with al longer life expectancy of1 10-15 years. He indicated that the county would need at least 14 ADA ballot marking devices each election day one for each precinct, one for the election office, and one for backup ift there is al breakdown. He continued his comments by giving a cost breakdown for 14 AutoMark ($29K) and 14 ExpressVote ($49K) machines, stating that the AutoMarks will cost about $2.8K more per year than the ExpressVotes to maintain, and providing information that voting equipment vendor Elections Systems & Software (ES&S) will not expect payment for the equipment until the next fiscal budget year which begins July 1, 2020. He finalized his comments by providing an email from Susan Fanning, Legislative Assistant to Senator Ralphl Hise, that stated the current proposed state budget includes a directed grant of $188K fori replacement of Member Ball indicated that the ADA voting equipment will likely not be used very much, and thel ExpressVote is al better system with newer technology that should give us many: years of good service. He stated that the ExpressVote barcodes were an issue with some people, but a good explanation about how the barcodes work was given during the Haywood County demonstration. He finalized his comments by stating that hej preferred new equipment over refurbished. Member Smathers commented that this Board of Elections has been following the ExpressVote for six years and waiting for the State Board to certify it for use. He stated that the company has indicated the test of the ExpressVote will be conducted free of any charges, and that the AutoMark machines are basically obsolete and will technologically likely not Moved, Seconded (JW, BB) and Carried (4,0) to recommend to the county commissioners that thel Board of Elections adopt and acquire the E.S.&S. 5.2.2.0 voting system (DS200 Ballot Imager, ElectionWare, and ExpressVote Ballot Marking Device) including any needed software, firmware, hardware, and tabulation software required to program, control, and support the equipment and to test the voting system during the November 5, Moved, Seconded (DS, BB) and Carried (4,0) to purchase 14 ExpressVote Ballot Marking Devices pending successful testing, obtaining all required approvals, and that ES&Swill allow the county to pay the bill at the  Madison County'se elections equipment.  be supported on down the road.  2019 Municipal Elections.  beginning oft the next fiscal budget year. Special Meeting Minutes - September 12, 2019  Page 1of2    COMMISSIONER COMMENT  County Commissioner Chair Norris Gentry indicated that we collectively have a duty to have honest and fair elections. He complimented the Board of Elections and community in doing a good job to meet that high expectation and tol be held  accountable fori it. CITIZEN COMMENTS  A citizen inquired as to the need for ADA ballot marking devices to accompany paper balloting. She also expressed that her concerns regarding thel barcodes on ballots and thermal paper were addressed during thel Haywood County  demonstrations.  A citizen expressed concerns regarding voting equipment security and barcodes.  ADIOURNMENT  The Chair adjourned the meeting at 2:39 PM.  WAllin, Chair GNE Vy h Ray/Lewis, Secretary  Special Meeting Minutes - September 12, 2019  Page 2 of2