Commissioners approve going with new vendor for elections

Smith County Commissioners heard reports concerning tax abatements throughout the county as well as changing vendors for record keeping for voters and elections during their regular weekly meeting held May 7.
After considerable discussion, commissioners approved the change to VR Systems by unanimous vote.
County Elections Administrator Michelle Allcon told commissioners officials with California-based Votec contacted her and revealed the company is having financial difficulties and has requested a surcharge to help the company remain afloat.
Votec has contracts in Nevada and Illinois, but so far has only asked for the surcharge from Texas counties.
Allcon told commissioners Votec’s software is used to record voter information as well as voter registration and mapping districts among other election related items.
She said she was informed in March the company was having financial issues but company officials didn’t “reach out to amend the contract.’’
Allcon said she explored using the state system or other vendors but, she added, there are few vendors approved to handle elections in Texas.
Other counties across Texas are facing the same dilemma, she said.
“The way Votec handled the situation and (how the company is) wishing everything will go well is the biggest risk we could take,’’ Allcon said.
Precinct 2 Commissioner John Moore was more direct in his assessment.
“It’s been my experience when companies are asking for money they are not owed it’s a last gasp effort on their part,’’ he said. “We don’t need to take any chances. If a company looks to have problems, they are having problems.’’
Moore said he believes there is a lack of transparency involved as well.
County Judge Neal Franklin pointed out that other counties in Texas are caught in the same situation and time is running short to rectify the problem.
“This is a tough situation, especially when you are put on the spot like we are,’’ he said. “We certainly don’t want anyone to miss out on the opportunity to vote.’’
Allcon said with the new vendor the county will be ready for the November election.
In other action, commissioners heard a report from Dr. Felicia Herndon of the Tyler Economic Development Council concerning the status of tax abatements across the county, including Sanderson Farms which has a hatchery in the Lindale Industrial Park.
She said there are 99 jobs out of the required 106 at the hatchery, with $21 million invested on the $18 million abatement approved. The abatement for Sanderson Farms plant in Winona was $130 million with $167 million invested. Herndon said there are 1,500 jobs at the plant.
Herndon said companies have invested more than $445 million and have created 2,422 new jobs.
“Some of these companies have hit a rough patch but they are coming back,’’ Herndon said.
Following her report, commissioners heard from Scott Martinez of the TEDC, who recommended a 10 year tiered abatement for Braun Ability, which retrofits vans for handicapped drivers.
He said the company wants to build a new 140,000 square foot facility on the land that was at one time Camp Fannin near Winona. Along with the Braun Ability abatement, commissioners approved an abatement for SunCap Property Group which will own the Braun Ability building.
Martinez said the new facility will add 74 jobs.