[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6530041,"mediaKeyId","3745502-ac8e5f2f81021ddba520b245831462e9","parentId",3745502,"title","Kaufman County elections office warns of equipment cost, forms changes after new federal and state actions","audioSeconds",1152,"startMs",527000,"endMs",1679000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3745502-ac8e5f2f81021ddba520b245831462e9&start=527&end=1679","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3745502-ac8e5f2f81021ddba520b245831462e9/thumbnail_527000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6530041/Kaufman-County/Texas/Kaufman-County-elections-office-warns-of-equipment-cost-forms-changes-after-new-federal-and-state-actions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530041-699f9105043cfe54dbf3d65a656fbb67/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432284&Signature=WPGDDogdCcZ-II-qlUgvNQd-zT52es7qowfpGwBN0-qLgT~wB~d0J1Awe~3H~x8kyhwVOxExOeOMYTZa86mZ9DtVkoAQQMtXjOPmihQr7XaLkwSTSbTD4CWrgByrf8iLQdCbEodA6ScBZbPUIgRa7OAhSCIFNo~20ZBcownzyZQpfCLL-HL3DfuAh2QrgPX8ZDEH5VprB8CAEOWuZ5QJsMQVwmChMTl317Ro5KiNTKgvSPAstG0aEcrK5Ramc9EMJ7sp~TQFX1oaXFFuwHsHOsyM2XunFGQJCYvhtx0Q-9nVMPRf4lLPgd313R15JKLJZTIFfa6CEXSt3eYvh1o8CA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kaufman","date","2025-06-10T00:00:00Z","article","Joanie, an elections official for Kaufman County, told the commissioners that recent state bills and a presidential executive order could force one‑time costs and require changes to voting equipment and forms.

Joanie said about 49 election‑related bills were going to the governor and that the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) still must advise counties how a presidential executive order affects equipment, especially the county’s marking devices because the county’s paper ballots include barcodes. “While our current voting equipment is a paper ballot, it does contain a barcode and part of that executive order prohibits those barcodes,” Joanie said.

The elections office is budgeting for equipment and related contingencies. Joanie said the office plans to carry over $50,000 for voting equipment and $130,000 for software into the next fiscal year and is requesting an additional $215,000 for voting equipment. If the EAC concludes barcodes are not lawful under the executive order, Joanie said the county would need to either replace marking devices or obtain an entirely new system from a different vendor: “If they tell us we can no longer use this barcoded system, we would have to, a, replace the system, or, b, get an entirely new system from a different vendor.”

As a possible interim measure, Joanie said the vendor discussed applying outstanding payments on recently purchased equipment toward a ballot‑on‑demand system, but she cautioned that would not cover the full cost. She also described a ballot‑on‑demand option that would add printers in polling places and noted operational complexity and higher costs for staffing and supplies.

On routine election operations the office requested several budget changes: an increase in pay for election judges and clerks by $2 per hour (proposed new rates were $18/hour for judges and $16/hour for clerks), two 4‑wheel‑drive vehicles (to replace a leased van expiring in December and to provide safer transport in hazardous conditions), a $75 per month cell stipend for the chief deputy ($900 annually), and purchases of an election management software and online training portal. Joanie described the web/voter education portal as a $30,000 initial cost with a $6,000 annual fee and the online training portal as $38,000 year one and $8,000 thereafter.

Joanie said some costs are expected to be reimbursable: the elections office typically charges participating entities for judge and clerk pay during elections, and the office plans to use existing printing contingency funds for some of the forms changes if the state releases final forms by August. She also warned that several forms will change (for example the federal postcard application for military voters), and that those forms changes will create a one‑time printing expense. \"The forms changes are gonna be a one time hit,\" she said.

On operational choices, Joanie said the office is considering whether to replace pollbooks immediately or hold funds in case voting equipment or other urgent needs arise. “If it's still working right now, don't spend the money. Hold it. That way, we know we have the money,” she said.

Commissioners and other officials asked questions about equipment lifecycles, vendor options and contingency plans; Joanie said the office will consult the EAC and vendors as guidance arrives. The office also requested modest increases to postage and legal notice budgets because of rising rates and larger mailings, and noted that some line items previously labeled “miscellaneous” are being replaced by specific operational line items.

No formal action or vote was recorded during the segment; commissioners said the budget requests would be reviewed in additional rounds of budget work sessions.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kaufman - Commissioners Court Workshop - Jun 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Joanie, an elections official for Kaufman County, told the commissioners that recent state bills and a presidential executive order could force one‑time costs and require changes to voting equipment and forms.","taxTitle","Kaufman County, Texas","taxId",20433,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6530022,"Emergency management asks to convert part‑time worker to full time, cites new outreach mandates and software needs",269,3841000,4110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3745502-ac8e5f2f81021ddba520b245831462e9&start=3841&end=4110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3745502-ac8e5f2f81021ddba520b245831462e9/thumbnail_3841000.jpg","/articles/6530022/Kaufman-County/Texas/Emergency-management-asks-to-convert-parttime-worker-to-full-time-cites-new-outreach-mandates-and-software-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530022-16b2d5b077599560706e5e1d90967480/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432284&Signature=nwg2LoL9eHsDSmnTr6~cyjbIz7-UL~hIOQPfe7NYwSHTJt-TEa1klJ1uY98I34cY-yHyK~yO0qi8h0krhtN2cW3ti8NOJr36kw0zsmk8ZOb9ufKGB-BwxYlgEHhltlxC9aY40lcYSC99V1jcbQYPotIbyjwRtzPvMETmUsLddulW8NXqIQMzu-UBs3b-YwQQT2maeSt0LS9jq8esSVKinm3ThJ6vEStOnDpWctAOKqZrTFF63T~xfJAvI-ECTgftFD8AX6ubfgUwSFs0dAJ47pBRkAuYn0yqwmD1Hi4K-aLzhgwvZ3h9guwut68zvRxIVyf77mvOxcidvDhM2hfetw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Steve, an emergency management official, asked the Kaufman County commissioners to make a current part‑time employee (Natalie) full time and to keep the part‑time budget to retain other casual help. He said the office has relied on Natalie during recent disasters and FEMA work and that making her full time would help manage maps, floor plans and other emergency planning needs.

Steve said the office has implemented emergency management software during the previous year that has proved valuable and requested continued funding for software. He described an operational requirement under a recently implemented mandate for the county to contact medically fragile residents during prolonged power outages: the county must notify persons on the list via the emergency notification system and, if they do not respond, do follow‑up phone calls and potentially in‑person checks. Steve said the county has about 96 people on that medically fragile list and that county staff would need to develop creative approaches and coordinate with law enforcement, fire departments and other responders to meet the contact requirement within a 24‑hour window.

Steve said the department’s overall budget is slightly lower than last year after adjustments, but noted inflation and the implementation of some previously passed mandates are driving incremental increases to several line items. He also described a previously approved growth vehicle and noted fleet management is being reviewed with purchasing and the auditor to determine whether leasing or buying is more cost effective.

Commissioners questioned operational feasibility for in‑person checks and suggested coordination with sheriff, constables, fire departments and commissioners for contingencies. No formal action was taken during the session; commissioners and staff said they would continue to review the request as part of the budget process.

","Emergency management presented a request to make a part‑time employee full time and described new unfunded mandates, use of emergency software, growth vehicle needs and responsibilities for checking medically fragile residents during prolonged outages.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6530026,"Commissioners and department heads debate reclassifications and pay increases for clerks across county offices",1107,1819000,2926000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3745502-ac8e5f2f81021ddba520b245831462e9&start=1819&end=2926","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3745502-ac8e5f2f81021ddba520b245831462e9/thumbnail_1819000.jpg","/articles/6530026/Kaufman-County/Texas/Commissioners-and-department-heads-debate-reclassifications-and-pay-increases-for-clerks-across-county-offices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530026-c95270087d042c3aa82f3055bba5f7d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432284&Signature=WhUKNfzToa7hrKjgEnXAb5TzNW73Mdr-prUCJ6NuK5lu9H7Unm4CpmO~~YwgLTo9lMrhuHKteyuiuSfBoM3dTfv7XZD41tnacG5NNJ9MEfat1HQOZOoFBkAXqN0Ht-YNlfa0iPDoGKa7NBrH48YjaDvkvaz4Vro1jfMmbS1fM2MhzBpgfI6mwvfz4jvr6VQI8m4xm3X0-SiZ4E33~r752OcH5QcFtUpH8re13QjajRq4qdRs4JZrH0FexFSQe8cDHS7Zsu7BZ7MLXdC-ecy8P~iyGKiy1DLqINyRIkjU2QB1RlZP4g65R8dr-Q6huxaGP9c2vYhKoaZK0~oDsATp5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several department heads and commissioners discussed proposed reclassification of clerk positions and broader pay adjustments for county employees, with repeated emphasis on funding limits and fairness across offices.

One presenter proposed changing clerk job titles to \"administrative assistant\" with a higher base salary to reflect added duties driven by state mandates and expanded responsibilities. \"These ladies are very deserving of an increase in pay just because of the things that have changed on us,\" a presenter said, citing additional duties such as NIBRS reporting, open records, RMS input and court routing.

Commissioners noted that title changes in other departments had produced pay increases and that any reclassification would likely spark similar requests across other county offices. Commissioners repeatedly stressed the need to review countywide funding before approving large raises: \"We don't know how much money we have,\" one commissioner said, and the court agreed to examine estimated revenues before committing to across‑the‑board changes.

Discussion participants debated certificate pay and whether short online certificates should trigger pay increases; presenters distinguished training that changes job classification (e.g., substantial continuing‑education or licensed certifications) from short online certificates that they said should not automatically raise base pay.

Commissioners and staff agreed to continue reviewing the requests across two or three more budget rounds. No formal vote or authorization of reclassifications or raises occurred during the session; commissioners said they would rely on final budget numbers expected in late July to guide decisions.

","A broad discussion among commissioners and several department heads focused on whether to reclassify clerk positions to administrative assistant titles and how to manage countywide pay increases, certification pay, insurance benefits and funding constraints; no decisions were finalized.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6530031,"Kaufman County library seeks small budget increases for digital access, shelving and newspaper digitization",268,3246000,3514000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3745502-ac8e5f2f81021ddba520b245831462e9&start=3246&end=3514","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3745502-ac8e5f2f81021ddba520b245831462e9/thumbnail_3246000.jpg","/articles/6530031/Kaufman-County/Texas/Kaufman-County-library-seeks-small-budget-increases-for-digital-access-shelving-and-newspaper-digitization","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530031-38bc06aa5842e384b1308378a315c16b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432284&Signature=D3nZvXrTQX9GNY07nYZZDt5I0fZ7zHvGXsyCnST9GqzAieKu-JTDybTpQ69x8USD2p2vO7TO5StQap5RtgEQJKMb2JdikPMBNstLjABDvkYn7LOIogDqQ030Xztd-GS4x3ju9cChrTAdL8dzHmvNFkDRwKsRr94jVh7J2pWEQRJMRDEtqwOn4RAOcZ-hX1XJzpI9zuyIiRYgad6IbyMP9TQCajNY9bHem8Rwx8K2XCHgDXfU2xfk3iObtdRZT9055MXLKpl3C2lY3MrIodSCV5tONVUwz15TOZLhTfRIuaO1W8Xt4RagDYqTZnju3UYDJUKqEP4cU3h5CezYpAR4~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Yasmin, a library staff member, presented budget adjustments and projects for the Kaufman County library, asking commissioners for modest increases in noncapital equipment, books and copier lease amounts.

Yasmin said the library proposes a $2,500 increase to noncapital equipment (to add shelving to better align juvenile and young adult collections with adult collections), a 10% increase to the book budget (listed as an increase of $4,245), and a $731 increase on the copier lease. She said the library is testing digital options to complement its Libby app and proposed adding a Hoopla subscription — a consortium platform that provides ebooks and audiobooks across participating libraries.

The library has a grant to digitize local newspapers and is partnering with the Spellman Museum in Forney to contribute material and work with the state library to upload digitized newspapers. Yasmin said most small donations come through the Friends of the Library and that the library planned to reduce the donations (fund 43) line slightly because many gifts transit that friends organization.

Yasmin also asked for some small building‑appearance fixes to the library entrance and landscaping; commissioners agreed to follow up with facilities staff to assess repairs. She noted policy and strategic plan updates will be completed in response to state guidance.

No formal vote or appropriation was recorded during the presentation; commissioners asked clarifying questions and acknowledged the requests would be reviewed in the ongoing budget process.

","The library requested modest increases to noncapital equipment and book budgets, proposed adding the Hoopla digital platform, and said it received a grant to digitize historical newspapers in partnership with a museum and the state library.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6530036,"Veterans services trims maintenance line, adds operational line for veterans memorial items",180,33000,213000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3745502-ac8e5f2f81021ddba520b245831462e9&start=33&end=213","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3745502-ac8e5f2f81021ddba520b245831462e9/thumbnail_33000.jpg","/articles/6530036/Kaufman-County/Texas/Veterans-services-trims-maintenance-line-adds-operational-line-for-veterans-memorial-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530036-8e44624debe840e75f32938df1cd910e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432284&Signature=cwYIMhIpzihE4BP5UXMKWaxbVOdpkiQOleLs1~NByQTHXZPspxkjeWjnB4B0vW7-DQg5zw3DFtxziSCNdwYWB5OzTwtpPrDwM9ZJLY0gv4VhW-jamGEzKHWPiLbJC-CS8LJlIo09enj3jekJ9pQkQH6cVW5hNT3wrw2Swruq-7BplwR4SZw1w~XyiiK-GkxvciQyay1DsGIodP11w1KnHrtpnpceh6aKS9nKZLF8DvifVqvi9Af6rRSB5PX-IT83khv-4tD13ChOhHM9g6W6xJTuIy~uFtUni2xmTPjNkYi9tZ-O4GDMHrBNbBIoHHi0mLbCVdMdg6uL2yApNhAylA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Robert, a veterans services staff member, told the Kaufman County commissioners the veterans office will move most maintenance responsibilities to the county facilities/maintenance department and eliminate its separate maintenance line item for Veterans Memorial Park.

\"So this year, just like any other property in the county, facilities maintains it. We just simply submit the work order or the request of what we need, and they'll take care of it from there,\" Robert said, and he confirmed the Veterans Memorial Park maintenance line has been reduced to essentially zero.

Robert said the office is creating a new budget line, \"operational cost of Veterans Memorial Park,\" to pay for flags, plaques, ceremony costs, flowers, guest speakers and related items. He also noted the office is ordering redesigned coins (commemorative challenge coins) to add the U.S. Space Force to the design and that the proof for the new coin was under review.

Robert asked that a software line item (budget code 440380) remain visible in the packet even though it was grayed out; he said that line funds VetPro, the software the office uses to submit directly to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. \"I don't wanna be without it,\" he said.

Commissioners and the budget staff discussed removing generic \"miscellaneous\" line items countywide in favor of specific accounts; commissioners supported more precise line items for accountability to taxpayers.

No formal vote or action was recorded on these changes in the meeting transcript; commissioners acknowledged the adjustments and asked if there were questions.

","Veterans services told commissioners it will drop the Veterans Memorial Park maintenance line to nearly zero and create a new operational cost line for flags, plaques, ceremony expenses and a redesigned coin; the office also requested VetPro software be noted in the budget.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Kaufman County elections office warns of equipment cost, forms changes after new federal and state actions

Emergency management asks to convert part‑time worker to full time, cites new outreach mandates and software needs

Commissioners and department heads debate reclassifications and pay increases for clerks across county offices

Kaufman County library seeks small budget increases for digital access, shelving and newspaper digitization

Veterans services trims maintenance line, adds operational line for veterans memorial items