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communication open. Chairman O'Bryan asked the Sheriff to inform his Department that this is not a reflection on them, but purely an economic situation. SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS — KAY CLEM (Clerk's Note: This Item was heard prior to the Sheriff's presentation, and is placed here for continuity). Administrator Baird reported that the Supervisor of Elections's proposed Budget is $1,001,962, a reduction of $30,990, or 3.0%. Supervisor of Elections Kay Clem voiced concern over the dilemma of her Budget cuts and where her office stands. She revealed that her Budget was cut by one-third, her full-time staff was reduced by 46%, the number of votes increased by more than 25,000 voters, and that her office is now at the 2003 spending level. She also explained and spoke about how she reduced her own benefits, how she provides her staff with water and soft drinks, the elimination of her temporary positions, the elimination of all advertising (except what is mandated by the State), reduced absentee postage, the negotiation of the price for optical scan ballots, the cost of felon investigations and mailings, the costs of the national change of address program, and the additional costs in replacing servers and security equipment. Ms. Clem also voiced concern that Sequoia Voting Systems had been purchased by another company, that three companies were merging, and are laying people off. She said she does not have a back-up IT Manager, and was worried that should there be a ballot tabulation problem, the vendor would not send someone with the necessary experience. She requested to withdraw her proposed Budget to the Board with a 2.55% decrease, and provide one that includes a 5% increase over the original Budget, so she can take care of the aforesaid issues. Administrator Baird said that he would meet with her during the next break to discuss some of the items that he could assist her with. 20 July 14, 2010