The Miami County Board of Elections approved salary increases for employees and changes in polling places during a Jan. 23 meeting.
 
The board approved a 2.5 percent salary increase for the deputy director, director, a clerk and seasonal help. The exception was Michelle Arthur, a new clerk, pending her 90-day job probation. The increases were effective Jan. 23.
 
The increase does not affect the four board members’ pay, Dave Fisher, board chairman, said. The board salaries are set by state law.
 
The board also met in a closed executive session to discuss pending or imminent litigation and possible poll worker conflict of interest. No action was taken on those items.
 
The following changes in precinct locations for the May 8 primary election were authorized by the board:
- Upper Room Church, Tipp City, to Ginghamsburg Church
- Victory Church, Tipp City, to St. John Catholic Church
- Elizabeth Township to First Baptist Church, New Carlisle
- Lostcreek Township to Fletcher United Methodist Church
- Trinity Episcopal, Troy, Troy 5-C to Mid-County Church of Christ
- Trinity Episcopal, Troy, Troy 6-D, Troy First Lutheran Church.
 
Luke Scott, deputy elections director, said issues such as accessibility and lack of room   were considered in recommending the changes.
 
In other business, the board agreed to contract with Ballot Sync for a system to ensure all ballot issues appearing on ballots in more than one county appear accurately on all of those ballots. The county previously participated in a free pilot of the system.
 
The cost to the elections board for the first year will be $2,562, reflecting a 30 percent discount, and $3,660 in each 2019 and 2020.
 
Fisher said he spoke with representatives of other area counties using the system and was told “they really like this system.”
 
The board agreed to meet to certify items for the May ballot Feb. 15. The deadline for filing for that election is Feb. 7.
 
In new business, the board discussed with Director Bev Kendall and Scott the development of a disaster plan. Kendall said discussions were held with the county IT department and Emergency Management Agency to begin the process.
 
Fisher said issues that could be discussed in the planning process could include possibly looking at moving to a new office location in a building where a back-up generator is available. Kendall said a generator was not available for the current location at the county Courthouse.