KINGWOOD — Preston commissioners continued Monday to hash out the details of renting space to store election machines.
County Administrator Kathy Mace presented a draft lease for $1,050 per month, utilities included, for space at the Kingwood Plaza.
Prosecutor Melvin C. Snyder III noted two points he suggested changing: Take out the provision that the landlord could revoke the lease with 30 days warning, because that could create chaos in an election year, and to state in the lease what the space will be used for.
Commissioners Dave Price and Samantha Stone said they would like to know how much the cost would differ if more space were included to hold early voting and election night work at the site, rather than just storage.
County Clerk Linda Huggins noted voters are accustomed to early voting at the 911 center and said she didn’t want to make last-minute changes with the 2020 elections looming.
In other discussions, commissioners heard from Assessor Connie Ervin, Emergency Management/911 Director Duane Hamilton and a representative of the sheriff’s office about contracting for aerial photography of the county. All the agencies use the maps created from the flyovers, which are now outdated.
The three said they can each pay one-third of the estimated $45,000 cost, split between two budget years. But, Ervin said, they would like commissioners to create a fund so the work can be done routinely every five years.
Price and Stone didn’t voice any opposition to the suggestion. The commission will vote on the work when it is presented with a proposal from the company doing the work.
Also Monday:
Price suggested employees not park in the three spots at the rear of the annex, and that parking there be limited to 30 minutes. Currently, it’s an hour.
Price said he’d like all the spots closest to the building to be kept free for the public. Mace said employees are encouraged to park in spots on the perimeter of the lot. One reason for this, she said, is that when a number of people are entering and leaving some of those spots, it can be chaotic.
Price said he has been contacted by members of the public and wants to look out for them. Parking is also available in the lot down the street, by the former bank drive-through.
Commissioners delayed action on North Preston Area Watch’s request for $300. Mace noted funding for neighborhood watch groups was given in the past for signage and similar uses.
North Preston said it expanded its mission to include economic development. Price said he’d like to hear more about what the money will be used for and would like Commissioner Don Smith to be part of the conversation. Smith was not at Monday’s meeting.
Ervin received an estimate of $3,960 for work so computers can be put at the front counter, with monitors that can be turned for taxpayers to see. That will eliminate the need for visitors to go behind the counter to employees’ desks to see information, Ervin said.
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