Montgomery County Commissioners tabled a request Monday from Montgomery County Clerk Jennifer Bentley for the purchase of new voting machines to be used in future voting centers. Cost of the machines is $231,140, and commissioners requested Bentley to approach the Montgomery County Council on Sept. 3 to see if they are willing to fund the acquisition. “I don’t see any reason for us to approve this request until we know the county council is willing to spend the money,” Commissioner Jim Fulwider said. Bentley responded by saying she has approximately $140,000 she can use to pay for the machines, but would need approval from the council for the other approximately $90,000.
Two council members were present at the meeting and neither one spoke highly of the purchase. “I think $231,000 is a lot of money,” council member Aaron Morgan said. “It is my opinion that with the financial situation in the county, I find it hard to spend that money this year.”
Council president Brian Keim echoed Morgan’s concern. “I am just not sure this will fly with the council considering our present budget crunch,” Keim told Bentley.
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