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Although Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed funding up to 50 percent of the projected $150 million state mandate for all counties to replace voting systems, the proposal is in its infancy with no signs of the current directive changing, said Forrest Lehman, director of Lycoming County Voter Services.
"I think he and the legislature have a long dialogue ahead of them," he said. "It could be a while before we know if we're going to receive any assistance and, if so, how much."
Lehman gave an update on the mandate before the county commissioners Thursday morning, saying the county is leaning toward selecting a vendor early in the new year with the goal of having systems in place for the November 2019 election.
The state requires that counties contract with a vendor for new machines by the end of 2019 and have the systems in place by April 2020, ahead of the presidential primary. However, many counties including Lycoming are opting to get the machines set up early, Lehman said.
"I would prefer that happen in November of next year so we have a chance to learn some lessons and apply those to when we find ourselves in a presidential cycle, where you have higher turn out and more scrutiny top to bottom of the whole election process -- rightfully, to make sure it's done properly," he said.
Ahead of the discussion, the commissioners approved a $19,875 agreement with Dominion Voting Systems for software licensing and hardware maintenance for 2019.
In another matter, the commissioners announced they will vote on a wage increase for elected officials at the county level for the term 2020-2023 during a special meeting to be held at 6 p.m. Thursday in Executive Plaza.
In other business, the commissioners:
• Approved the reappointments of Jim Carpenter, of Woodward Township, and John Gramling, of Beaver Lake, to the county Water and Sewer Authority for five-year terms.
• Approved the reappointment of Frank Pellegrino to the Williamsport Municipal Airport Authority for a five-year term.
• Extended a $72,000 agreement with Keller Partners through Dec. 31, 2019, for their services in finding, applying for and securing funding in the levee recertification process.
• Promoted Vicki M. Edkin as a full-time replacement administrative specialist in the public defender's office at $16.93 per hour, effective Dec. 30.
Commissioners Jack McKernan, Tony Mussare and Rick Mirabito were present. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Jan. 3 in Executive Plaza.