During Tuesday's Sunflower County Board of Supervisors' call meeting, the county lawmakers approved and agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the state that will allow for the reimbursement of funds expended toward the upcoming election.
Circuit Clerk Carolyn Hamilton presented an update because of requests she made during a recent session for the county lawmakers to provide COVID-19 related incentive pay for poll workers and the election commissioners.
Hamilton said, "I received a letter from Michael Watson—Secretary of State's office—and it finally gave us the allotment that was approved in House Bill 1789 as far as paying hazard pay."
The bill purportedly makes appropriations available through the Secretary of State from the Budget Contingency Fund and provides for the hiring of additional poll managers for each precinct for Election Day and for other election-related expenses in accordance with the Federal Cares Act.
"They're willing to reimburse $6,822.50 of hazard pay," she said. According to Hamilton, that money will reportedly provide for 131 poll workers and the five commissioners. Originally the Board of Supervisors had agreed to contribute an additional $50 to each of the aforementioned election workers, so Hamilton is now saying that those funds will be 100% reimbursable because of this new outlay.
"What I understand in the letter is once we do the Memorandum of Understanding they're going to send that to us to deposit in county funds for that purpose,” said Hamilton. In addition to the above-mentioned MOU, Hamilton said, "There's an additional $2,250 that the county can also request." She said it could be used to hire additional poll managers.
Board Attorney Johnny McWilliams said he has reviewed the MOU, did not have a problem with it and recommended that the board sign it. However, McWilliams asserted one caveat. "I don't see that it does anything beyond the $2,250," McWilliams said.
Hamilton explained her understanding and interpretation and assured him that the $6,822 was also promised. Nonetheless, she assured him that she would get him additional clarification.
McWilliams also spoke of other opportunities whereby the county could possibly receive reimbursement funds and emphasized that the required application process carried a short term for completion. “I just don't want you all to leave any money on the table," McWilliams said.
District 1 Supervisor Glenn Donald again asked Hamilton if she was setting up early voting sites and Hamilton explained that Mississippi does not allow early voting that a law would have to be passed. However, Hamilton explained that she is making provisions for anyone who may be quarantined due to health concerns.
She said if anyone is concerned about going to the polls or coming to the courthouse, they should contact her office so a ballot can be mailed out to them.
"They don't even have to get out, all they have to do is have someone 18 years or older witness their ballot and application,” she said.
She further explained that this year only she is including return postage so the person does not have to go to the Post Office to purchase a stamp in order to mail the ballot back to her.
The county leaders recessed until September 21.
