Referred to:  The Laws and Rules, Governmental Services Committee (Chairman Donaldson and Legislators Archer, Heppner, Roberts, and Ronk), and The Ways and Means Committee (Chairwoman Archer and Legislators Donaldson, Gerentine, Maio, Joseph Maloney, Petit, and Ronk)

Chairwoman of the Legislature, Tracey A. Bartels, Chairman of the Laws and Rules, Governmental Services Committee, David B. Donaldson, and Majority Leader Jonathan Heppner, offer the following:

WHEREAS, this resolution has been submitted by the County Executive on behalf of the Board of Elections; and

WHEREAS, the New York State Legislature passed the Early Voting Act in January 2019, which directs that there shall be nine consecutive days of early voting, beginning the tenth day prior to any General, Primary, or Special Election and beginning with the General Election of 2019; and

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 376 of 2019 amended the budget for the Ulster County Board of Elections to purchase the following equipment in order to implement Early Voting: 235 Early Polling Books (EPB’s) with a total cost not to exceed $61,098.00; EPB Accessory kits at a total cost of $34,255.00; 221 Micronics Blue Tooth receipt printers at a total cost of $66,300.00; 14 Ballot on Demand black and white printers and associated licensing fees for a total cost of $26,780.00; 6 Wireless Access Points and associated subscription licenses for a total cost of $7,611.00; 120 Portable batteries for a total cost not to exceed $4,800.00; and

WHEREAS, new services and ongoing annual costs for implementing Early Voting include a wireless data plan, costing $38,000.00 for 2019; KNOWiNK Software Licenses at a cost of $123,760.00 for 2019; 2 days of on-site training for the Board Elections staff at a cost of $4,000.00; additional poll inspectors to accommodate staffing seven Early voting sites at a cost of $43,470.00; additional office supplies for the 2019 General Election in the amount of $25,625.00 to purchase blank ballots, ink, and printer receipts; and promotional Early Voting education materials to raise public awareness about the significant changes to New York voting, not to exceed $15,000.00; and

WHEREAS, the New York State Legislature allocated $10 million through the Aid to Localities Grant Program for the purchase of Early Voting Supplies and defer Early Voting implementation expenses, of which Ulster County will receive $183,704.04; and

WHEREAS, reimbursement for County expenditures will be available after submission by the County and approval by the New York State Board of Elections of an application, standard assurances, program narratives, and program budget; and

WHEREAS, the Commissioners of the Board of Elections have the ability to utilize existing grant funding, commonly known as the “SHOEBOX” program, to fund the difference between the cost of implementing Early Voting and the grant monies received from New York State to implement said program; and

WHEREAS, the Commissioners of the Board of Elections requests that the Chairwoman of the Ulster County Legislature be authorized to enter into an agreement and any related amendments with the New York State Board of Elections for the period beginning April 12, 2019 and ending December 31, 2020 in the amount of $183,704.04; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Chair of the Ulster County Legislature is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement and any related amendments with the New York State Board of Elections for the period beginning April 12, 2019 and ending December 31, 2020 in the amount of $183,704.04, in the form as filed with the Clerk of the Legislature or as modified with the approval of the County Attorney;

and move its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                        NOES:    

Passed Committee:  Ways and Means on _______________.

Passed Committee:  Laws and Rules, Governmental Services on _______________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT: $183,704.04 – ADDITIONAL 2020 REVENUE – STATE AID