Hillsborough chooses new voting system

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 9, 2008

TAMPA

The last county in the state to secure new voting equipment for the fall elections is close to inking a deal for optical-scan machines.

Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections Buddy Johnson said he is finalizing a deal with Premier Election Solutions, formerly Diebold Election Systems. He plans to present the recommendation to Hillsborough County commissioners Feb. 20.

A screening committee ranked Premier, which supplies voting equipment to 33 other Florida counties, the top bidder among five that submitted offers to supply all or part of the equipment needed.

The cost to make the switch will be just under $6-million. However, the state will reimburse part of that with federal grant money, bringing the cost to the county to about $3.5-million.

While Premiere didn't have the lowest bid, its experience, financial strength and assurances that it has equipment on hand to supply the county quickly, tipped scoring in its favor. The company also has approved technology that allows disabled voters to use the same machines.

Kathy Harris, general counsel and chief of staff for Johnson, said Friday that Hillsborough County will easily meet a July 1 deadline for having new equipment.

In fact, she said that she hopes to be able to use the machines for Plant City municipal elections April 8.

CLEARWATER

Take-home police cars are a thing of the past

About one-third of the Clearwater police officers who use take-home cars will have to pay the city for part of their commute to and from work.

The new requirement, unanimously approved by the City Council on Thursday night, comes as the city continues to find ways to save money as it adjusts to new state mandates decreasing the amount of property tax revenue local governments can collect.

The city has roughly 180 take-home vehicles, about 150 of them assigned to the Police Department. The move affects 55 officers, said city auditor Robin Gomez.

TAMPA

Pedestrian badly hurt when bus strikes him

A 29-year-old man was hospitalized in serious condition after being hit by a HART bus early Friday.

Hillsborough sheriff's officials said Otis Emerson Jeffrey was either walking in the road or stepped into the road at Palm River Road and 51st Street S about 6:13 a.m. when he was struck by a Hillsborough Area Rapid Transit bus heading west on Palm River Road.

[Last modified February 8, 2008, 23:35:14]