WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS OK PURCHASE OF VOTER REGISTRATION SCANNING SYSTEM
Washington County Commissioners approved the purchase of a new voter registration scanning system at their meeting today (Tuesday).
The Vista Solutions Group system comes with a three-year subscription for maintenance and support. The purchase totals $37,500, and will be funded using a Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Security Grant.
Elections Administrator Carol Jackson said the new system works directly with the Secretary of State’s office and believes it should be a substantial improvement from the existing Docuware software, which the county has used since 2017.
Nancy Stirneman of Vista Solutions Group said the system can help the county’s elections department prepare for and pass state audits, ensure voter integrity, manage the ballot by mail process, and ultimately make the office more organized, efficient and secure.
Stirneman said her company works with just under 50 percent of counties in Texas. That includes several of Washington County’s neighbors like Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Colorado, Fayette and Grimes counties.
Also at today’s meeting, commissioners:
- Approved final plats for the Reserve at Chappell Hill, consisting of 35 lots and six roads on 115 acres off of FM 1155 North in Precinct 1, and Timber Bridge, comprised of 24 lots and two roads on 67 acres off of FM 2447 in Precinct 2. Commissioner Kirk Hanath voted against the final plat for Timber Bridge, as he was opposed to the developer’s plans for the subdivision including a covered bridge for the entry. County Engineer Wesley Stolz explained the bridge crossing is necessary due to logistical requirements, but the proposed covering for the bridge is for cosmetic reasons. Hanath said repairing the bridge in the future will be difficult with the covering.
- Approved a contract between the county and Teresa Sazedj for human resources consultation services. Sazedj resigned as the county’s human resources director on June 30th for family reasons, but has agreed to provide services to the county on a contract basis until it fills the vacancy. The contract is not to exceed $5,000.
- Accepted a check from the City of Burton for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (LEOSE) account.
- Approved a formal notice from AT&T Communications of Texas, LLC for a proposed utility line at the intersection of FM 390 and Glenblythe Road in Precinct 3 for placement of a fiber optic cable.
- Presented service awards to county employees with 25 and 30 years of service.
- Heard reports from the sheriff’s office, E-911, EMS, Information Technology and the Veterans Service Officer.
