KINGWOOD — Preston County Commissioners are contemplating giving up their meeting space to the county clerk for a year to use as an election center.
The discussion was at a work session Thursday attended by all three commissioners. The subject will be on the Jan. 2 agenda for a vote.
Over the past year, the commission has considered leasing secure space at the Kingwood Plaza to store and program voting machines and to hold election materials.
The idea, Commission President Dave Price said, is to use that year to plan for a permanent solution for an election center, saving money in the process.
County Clerk Linda Huggins said she had never considered the idea in the past, “because I didn’t think you would want to give up your space.”
Commissioners Samantha Stone and Don Smith said they feel it’s best to use county properties and save money.
County Administrator Kathy Mace suggested the change be effective Jan. 15.
“We have some organizations that we would have to notify that this facility is no longer available for them to meet in. We would have to try and find some alternative space,” Mace said.
Price asked if space at the McGrew House could be used by some of the organizations. Mace said parking is limited there, especially in the winter, but it might work for some.
Also, “It’s going to take us a little time to set you up wherever you decide to meet,” Mace said.
When its meeting room was unavailable in the past, the commission met in the hallway outside its offices in the annex. If that’s to be the case over the next year, the adjacent health department should be notified, and chairs and tables must be moved, Mace noted.
Mace said she has talked with Michael Mills of The Mills Group about an election center, and he recommended an addition to the 911 Center. Early voting is already done there.
“I think it’s smart to say a year if, in that time, you’re aggressively looking toward an end game,” Mace said. “I don’t think you move out and sit there. …We need a plan of action.”
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