EATON — Preble County Board of Elections officials met with the Preble County Commissioners on Wednesday, May 24, to work on a cost projection to provide the State of Ohio for budgeting purposes, which they wanted by June 13.

Board of Elections Director Terri Hans noted, “We went with our vendors, Collections Software and Systems, which we have been doing business with for all of these years. As the one letter states, this is just a projection and that’s what the representative said. They want us to quote the highest amount, so they have a big ball park figure.”

The state is requiring the Board of Elections to have a price on several pieces of equipment, some of which they purchased in 2015 and the cost for which they now plan to try to recoup. Hans reported, the price they have projected is $621,312, including “some extras,” which they were to include according to the instructions from the state. The state is also allowing $500 trade in allowance.

Commissioner Chris Day asked, “Does this include everything that you would utilize?”

“Yes, except that total does not include the $24,655 that we purchased in 2015. This is all new equipment,” Hans replied.

“So, basically we would be looking at a $650,000 roundup,” Day said.

Hans explained, “This is state purchasing. They are telling us that this is negotiable, this is not final. They want to see what the top figure that they have to deal with is.”

“Well, this is exactly what the state is looking for us to get to them,” Day said. “It is non committal, the one thing that they stressed was to be on the high end, but be realistic. They have a joint committee for this and they are looking to reduce this or that. They are taking all of this stuff into consideration.”

Hans added, she had one more thing that needed discussed. On the Statement of Need that they had to send by June 13, they are told to ask the commissioners when they are interested in purchasing new equipment. The choices are: within the next six, 12, 24, 0r 36 months.

“Is there a, ‘depends on when you give us money?’” Commissioner Denise Robertson asked. “That would be a life of the equipment sort of thing. If you have to pick something, if you know your equipment is in dire need, you can check that box.”

Hans said, “We’re pushing our limit right now.”

Commissioner Rodney Creech noted, “I think you’re better to put a shorter time down. Give them a long time frame and they’re going to take that time.”

Hans added, the Board of Elections had discussed choosing the 12 months option. To which, Robertson agreed, 12 months seemed reasonable.