TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: John Tuteur - Registrar of Voters Elections
REPORT BY: John Tuteur - Registrar of Voters Elections
SUBJECT: Approval of budget transfer increasing appropriations in capital assets
RECOMMENDATION
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Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk ex officio Registrar of Voters requests approval of a Budget Transfer increasing appropriations in Elections (1000-1141000) by a total of $5,400 offset by decreasing appropriations in Extra Help to cover sales tax to upgrade ballot sorting/signature verification capital asset.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In August 2020 the Board approved the purchase of a ballot sorting-signature capture machine from Tritek Systems Inc. using HAVA/CARES pandemic funding. Tritek now offers upgrades to the machine with increased trays, an integrated envelope opener (replacing our current, separate machine which requires additional staff and handling time) and thickness detection which is important in determining the number of ballot cards in the envelope. The upgrades will fit in our current space and will increase the speed at which return envelopes are processed. A budget transfer is required to cover sales tax for the upgraded capital asset.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Elections 1141000 |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
Upgraded equipment will speed up processing of ballots by replacing outdated envelope opening equipment that require additional staff and time |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
This is a one-time capital expenditure upgrading an existing machine. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
Sales tax would not be paid. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Effective and Open Government |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
In August 2020 the Board approved the purchase of a ballot sorting-signature capture machine from Tritek Systems Inc. using HAVA/CARES pandemic funding. The machine has worked flawlessly allowing us to count and canvass the November 3, 2020 Presidential Election, September 14, 2021 Gubernatorial Recall Election and the recently certified June 7, 2022 Statewide Primary Election efficiently and rapidly. Tritek now offers upgrades to the machine with increased trays, an integrated envelope opener (replacing our current, separate machine which requires additional staff and handling time) and thickness detection which is important in determining the number of ballot cards in the envelope. The upgrades will fit in our current space and will increase the speed at which return envelopes are processed. A budget transfer of $5,400 is required to cover sales tax and increase the capital asset.