Commission prepares for election with polling place protection

Voters visiting the polls July 14 will see necessary precautions in place, as the county commission approved more than $9,000 in expenses for the upcoming election.

The commission purchased protection kits for each precinct for a total of $4,344.20 – for 24 total precincts in Franklin County.

“We are using these kits for these elections, and then we will look at getting more when the November election rolls around,” said Franklin County Probate Judge and Commission Chairman Barry Moore.

Each kit will include wipes, gloves, face masks and sanitizer for workers and sanitizing hand pumps for voters.

Workers for the election will also receive an extra $25, and the manager will receive an extra supplement as well, for a total of $4,800.

Moore said all expenses pertaining to extra precautions associated with COVID-19 will be reimbursed through FEMA money and through the CARES Act.

At the commission meeting, Moore also updated on the reopening of the Franklin County Courthouse. Moore said everything with the reopening has gone smoothly.

“We are very appreciative of our citizens and our workers for staying patient with us,” Moore said.

In other business, the county commission will hold a hearing July 20 at 8 a.m. before its regular meeting to vacate a portion of Sanders Road. Moore said the commission was approached by a concerned citizen about the road.

The commission also hired Matt Mayfield as an animal control assistant and hired five temporary workers for the highway department.