Election machines, road issues and a new strategy to control environmental problems in Freestone County were discussed during the Wednesday, January 20, 2021 Commissioners Court.
HartInterCivic, a Texas based company, presented their election machines to the Commisioner’s Court and citizens who make up portion of the election staff at the beginning of the meeting.
The system is comprised of three different machines. One that issues a barcode that is unique to the user, a second machine that allows a person to cast their vote, and a final machine that will read the vote from a printout the second machine produces.
A person cannot overvote on this system, and instead of reading a barcode like most systems, this one reads the actual votes.
Poll workers showed a great deal of concern with how they would help people vote curbside, as they currently would need to not only roll multiple machines outside, but they would also be able to see what someone voted.
It was explained that a curbside voting machine is in the process of being made and becoming legal, but as of the meeting it was not ready.
The court has made no decisions on which company they want to go with, and plan to continue asking questions to be sure they make the right decision for the county.
Bill Madding is retiring at the end of January 2021, leaving behind him open positions to be filled.
The Commissioners Court has taken this time to reevaluate what the roll does, and how it could potentially work down the road.
After much discussion and debating it has been decided that the new position will become a part of the Sheriff’s Office, and answer directly to Freestone County Sheriff Jeremy Shipley.
This not only gives the officer the ability to write citations for environmental problems, but also would allow them the use of prisoners for clean-up.
They will also be responsible for the Emergency Management Coordination, but this position might become a part-time one if necessary.
When not performing either duty they will do what Sheriff Shipley deems necessary, as they will need to be a fully licensed and legal peace officer.
District Attorney Brian Evans explained that County Road 195 is in a unique position because there is a gate going over the road, and as such should be surrendered.
The gate belongs to a citizen who owns the property around the road, and there is no other person who needs access beyond the gate.
The County did vote to go with Evans suggestion after his passionate defense of why this needed to be done like this.
Another item on the agenda was the requirement for all county employees to take a Cyber security class annually, not just a single time. This is a law, and there is no way around.
