Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Norman Foster
Department: Office of Management and Budget
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ADOPT budget Resolution within the General Fund reallocating the Supervisor of Elections Fiscal Year 2024 budget from the March 2024 Primary Election budget to the Administration and Operations budget and to the August 2024 Primary Election budget to increase efficiency in managing the upcoming presidential election.
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Why Action is Necessary
Pursuant to Florida Statute 129.201 and 129.202, budget of supervisor of elections.
What Action Accomplishes
Reallocates the Supervisor of Elections Fiscal Year 2024 budget in the amount of $1,714,000 from the March 2024 Primary Election budget to the Administration and Operations budget and to the August 2024 Primary Election budget.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☐County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None
Summary Explanation/Background
The Supervisor of Elections is requesting a reallocation of $1,714,000 from the March 2024 Primary Election budget to the Administration and Operations budget and the August 2024 Primary Election budget. Below are the details of the reallocation request.
Recent developments have prompted the need for two additional satellite offices (Northwest Regional Library and Southwest Regional Library), requiring eight additional permanent part-time employees. As a result, we are requesting $262,000 for the increased salaries and benefits.
As the Office continues to increase the effectiveness of the satellite offices, it was determined that security measures will be required at five of the six locations (Broward College South Campus, Miramar Branch Library, Tamarac Branch Library, Northwest Regional Library, and Southwest Regional Library). As a result, we are requesting $155,000 to account for this new expense.
In our efforts to comply with list maintenance and other new election requirements, the Office has received an abundance of returned mail, vote-by-mail requests, DMV applications, and petitions. Consequently, overtime for the Voter Services Department has been essential to sustain compliance on a timely basis. Overtime is comprised of various Saturdays during the period of October 14th to December 16th. As a result, we are requesting $44,000 to account for this new expense.
In light of the Office’s continued developments for improved functionality and to better serve the Broward County voters, it is essential to be staffed accordingly. As a result, we are requesting $208,000 for three additional full-time positions: Courier, Early Voting Assistant, and Placement Specialist. These positions are vital, as their roles expand throughout the election cycle.
As you are aware, during Fiscal Year 2023, we initiated the replacement of the Office’s voter registration and check-in systems to provide increased functionality and efficiency. The continuation of this project in the current year requires additional resources needed to integrate and maintain the various systems. Furthermore, we have identified other purchases, including capital purchases, that would provide efficiency and enhance voter experience during the election process. As a result, we are requesting $816,000 to account for this new expense.
As you can see from our administrative budget to actual details below (see Exhibit A), only approximately $571,000 of the budgeted $800,000 List Maintenance funding was utilized during Fiscal Year 2023. The excess $229,000 was returned to the County on October 31, 2023. We are requesting this excess of $229,000 be added to Fiscal Year 2024 so that we may progress steadily during Fiscal Year 2024 as we complete our County-wide mailings.
Source of Additional Information
Joe Scott, Supervisor of Elections, (954) 712-1951
Norman Foster, Director, Office of Management and Budget, (954) 357-6346
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
No fiscal impact to the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. Recurring items are part of the Fiscal Year 2025 Supervisor of Elections proposed budget request.