On Tuesday, June 18, the Houston County commissioners authorized Interim Auditor Treasurer Polly Heberlein to create an Absentee Ballot Board and UOCAVA (Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act) Ballot Board for the upcoming State Primary Election on August 13, 2024.
The following individuals were appointed to the absentee ballot board: Eliana Babinski, Mark Bennett, Jenna Nelson, Darlene Johnson, Celeste Abbott and Hannah Miner.
Heberlein added, “One change this year that we are proud of regarding the election, is the fact that we will be inviting the public to observe the live Ballot Board process, if they choose to attend. We feel this will show our transparency when it comes to our returned absentee ballot process. Once the Ballot Board meeting dates have been confirmed, we will be posting the schedule on the County website. We will also post our updated ‘Returned Absentee Ballot Chain of Custody’ process which outlines the handling of absentee ballots upon their return to the Auditors Office. The document explains how the ballots get logged into the State voting system, the process of the Ballot Board either accepting or rejecting the returned voted ballots, the verification process, the storage of ballots thru the AB period up until the final steps of tabulating on election night. We are happy to share that process to show our due diligence with the handling and security of each returned AB Ballot.”
Individuals interested in observing the process can contact either Heberlein or Deputy Auditor/Treasurer Eliana Babinski at (507) 725-5803.
Chairman Eric Johnson convened the Houston County Commission meeting promptly at 9 a.m. Johnson led his fellow commissioners and the gallery in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
During the meeting, the agenda was approved, and a newsworthy addition was made to the consent agenda: a generous donation of two fire suppression tools (FST) from the Caledonia Masonic Lodge to the Houston County Sheriff’s Office.
The board unanimously agreed to approve the corrected minutes from the June 4 board meeting and the minutes from the June 11 workgroup session.
There were no public comments or appointments.
The council approved the revised consent agenda including changes to employment status: Deputy Auditor/Treasurer Jenna Nelson’s transition from probationary to regular; a banding and pay rate adjustment for Adam Hebelein, highway sign specialist; Nicole Lemke’s transition from probationary to regular as child support officer; and the probationary assignment of Rachel Meyer as jail administrator. They also approved initiating a competitive search for a full-time lead jailer/dispatcher and accepted the resignation of Ben Novak, thanking him for approximately five years of service. Additionally, the board authorized the start of a competitive search for “up to two” full time jailer/dispatchers.
In other business, the board:
• Approved the county’s payments as presented by Finance Director Carol Lapham.
• Failed to approve a motion to accept either quote from Saxon Fleet Services to purchase a 2025 4 door AWD Chevrolet Equinox for $29,924 before taxes or a 2025 4 door FWD Chevrolet Equinox for $28,076 before taxes. There is still time for the staff to continue “shopping” for a vehicle before the courthouse fleet vehicle leases are up in September.
• The meeting was adjourned at 10:12 a.m.
Commissioner Burns reminded his fellow commissioners of the upcoming public meeting on Thursday, June 20, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. to discuss the roundabout at the intersection of Hwy. 44 and 76. The meeting will be held at the Caledonia auditorium located next to city hall on Main Street.
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