County’s Financial Advisor Suggests Not Borrowing Funds at This Time for New Election Commission Building
Discussion of a new or renovated structure for the Election Commission was met with frustration at the Hardeman County Commission meeting on September 19, 2023. In response to Commissioner Brad Grantham’s request for an update, Chairman of the Buildings Committee, Commissioner David Bell, said, in part, that, “After the last Commission meeting, it came to our attention that any project over $50,000 has to have an [architect], it would affect both a new building as well as the renovation of the ambulance center.”
The Buildings Committee has discussed several options including constructing a new facility, renovating or expanding the current building, or renovating unused space in the County Emergency Medical Services building since Amber Moore, who is the county’s election administrator, initially expressed her desire for a new building at the February 2023 meeting of the Hardeman County Commission.
Commissioner Bell continued, “It would make sense to get a space planner involved, to look at all three options, and determine exactly what we need to take care of the needs of the County.”
He continued by saying that Mayor Pulse had spoken with the County Financial Advisor after the Commission decided in August to move forward with determining the county’s financial options for borrowing the money, and they had recommended against the county taking on debt at this time. According to the letter, which was shared with the Commissioners, “ . . . as the County’s Financial Advisor, we have a fiduciary duty to do what is in the County’s best interest. Therefore, I would suggest that the County consider postponing borrowing any additional funds at this time.”
The Advisor suggested waiting due to ongoing litigation against the County which could incur a substantial cost. (read more about the lawsuit here) The ongoing litigation would also have to be disclosed and may impact the interest rates the County could receive with financing. He also noted the County’s outstanding Criminal Justice Center debt will have the ability to be refinanced starting June 1, 2024, and it may also be more economical to add in any new financing at that time.
Since there are many questions concerning the new building and concern that hiring an architect could cost up to $90,000, Commissioner Grantham informed the commission that he had contacted an architect, Mark Hawk, who is a friend of his, and he was present to answer questions from the commission at the meeting. Mr. Hawk has already reviewed the plans and made recommendations on the building site. Commissioner Grantham also shared that Mr. Hawk had given a price of $25,000 for the whole project.
Election Administrator Amber Moore, who was in attendance, added a few more remarks from her place in the crowd. She emphasized the importance of moving forward since early voting for the next election will begin on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. Ms. Moore previously expressed “grave concern” during the commission meeting in July on the possibility of holding the upcoming elections at the current Bolivar location of the election commission. {read more about the discussion here}
Commissioner Bethany Miller thanked Commissioner Grantham for all the work he had done, but stated, “I think that it’s the Committee that needs to recommend to us. I personally would like to have a recommendation by the next meeting, where ever we’re going to go. I would like for the Committee to meet and find an architect, who ever the Committee selects, and to have a recommendation for us so that we can move forward. I think Ms. Amber is frustrated, maybe some of the commissioners are frustrated.”
Commissioner Bell agreed, but stressed it has not been the easiest process to get a group of seven to eight people to agree on something.
“We haven’t had anything to agree on,” stated Commissioner John Vickers as he expressed his frustration over the slow progress the Building Committee seems to be making. Vickers leaned toward ruling out renovating the current location due to parking issues, “If you look at the plat for Greg Vaughan’s building, there’s no parking. We’re using Calvin Howell’s parking lot. There’s no room to park out there.”
Commissioner Bell concurred that voters are parking on a lot that is not owned or leased by the County, but emphasized that there has not been an issue conducting elections there for the past 14 years.
Commissioner Johnny Lanier, who served as chairman due to Mayor Pulse’s absence, questioned Ms. Moore on the worst case scenario if she is not in a new building by the next election.
“If I am where I’m at in February, [early] voters can expect no more than 2 to 3 people to vote at a time . . . you’re going to be voting on paper . . . it’s going to be new, it’s going to be slow, and voters are going to be very upset because the line is going to be long and very long waiting,” said Ms. Moore.
“It may be that building [a new facility], as much as that may be the easiest way, may not be the best way out for the County. Our responsibility is to be good stewards, to weigh the benefits versus the cost,” said Commissioner Bell.
The Buildings Committee is scheduled to meet again on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at the Hardeman County Courthouse at 6 p.m.
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