EATON — The Preble County Board of Elections (BOE) met with the Preble County Board of Commissioners on Monday, Sept. 9 to discuss a facility security report.

Director Terri Hans began by speaking on the facility information. She expressed their need for a dehumidifier to keep with the voting equipment to reduce mildew and potential mold.

The BOE also does not have a back up generator. Hans is concerned about what would happen if they lost power during early voting. Commissioner Chris Day promised to look into matter, but noted there are other “higher priority” facilities, such as the Preble County Jail.

Hans asked the board if they do background checks on their staff, to which the commission replied in the affirmative.

“I asked because now we have to be and any vendor we use has to be background checked,” she said.

She would also like to change the door to their office, due to the glass window. She asked for a solid door or bullet proof glass.

Commissioner Day asked what other counties are doing to secure Board of Elections.

Hans responded, “Most other counties are in their own building.”

Commission President Rodney Creech said, “This is not a building issue, this is a security issue. You’re going to have a security issue no matter what building you’re in.”

He added, even if BOE moved to the former Art Center Building on Hillcrest Drive, money will still have to be spent to secure the building.

“I think the double lock and key makes sense. When you get these mandates saying, ‘We want a generator, we want bullet proof glass, we want this list of things,’ it is going to cost $150,000,” Creech said.

Hans countered, “We didn’t say we wanted it. What we said was, we were asking if you had a plan in case something would happen.”

In other business:

•The board noted receipt of an amended certificate referencing C&FHS Grant $5,500 and WIC Grant $64,079.

•The board authorized an expenditure in the amount of $3,900 to purchase a commemorative plaque celebrating the Preble County Courthouse Centennial anniversary.

•The board noted receipt of a letter from Sheriff Mike Simpson referencing the hire of Jennifer Goldick as intermittent part-time CCW Clerk.

•The board noted receipt of a Generator Maintenance Agreement with Buckeye Power Sales in the amount of $835.

•The board noted receipt of an amendment to Child Placement Agreement with Eastway to increase amount.

The Preble County Board of Commissioners meets every Monday and Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the Preble County Courthouse, unless noted otherwise.