HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2020.07.15 - 33422MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #20250 July 15, 2020
BY: Commissioner David Woodward, Chairperson, Pandemic Response and Economic Recovery
Committee
IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — ESTABLISH PROTECT DEMOCRACY ELECTION WORKER
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PROGRAM WITHIN THE OAKLAND TOGETHER LOCAL
GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP GRANT
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS elections are the foundation of our democracy; and
WHEREAS election officials across the country are facing staffing challenges long in the making, now
accelerated by the pandemic; and
WHEREAS in-person access to the ballot box rests on the vulnerable shoulders of a cohort of steadfast,
but elderly, election workers at risk of exposure to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS the average age of election workers in Michigan is 74 years old, a vulnerable, at -risk
population of serious complications due to COVID-19. Many long time election workers have chosen not
to work the election this year due to safety concerns; and
WHEREAS election officials are facing increased pressure to recruit new election workers ahead of the
2020 August Primary and November General Election; and
WHEREAS the Michigan Secretary of State has launched a new program, "Democracy MVP", which
celebrates election workers as "the Most Valuable Players of our democracy, ensuring free and fair
elections for all"; and
WHEREAS Oakland County has 506 local polling precincts and 52 absentee voting county boards
requiring over an estimated 3,300 election workers across the County; and
WHEREAS the Oakland County Board of Commissioners formed the Oakland County Safe, Healthy and
Secure Election Advisory Council to identify challenges and barriers for having safe, healthy and secure
elections in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS the Advisory Council recommends funding an election worker recruitment and retention
program in the amount of $50 above the full day rate, per worker, as established by the local community
as of June 2020; and
WHEREAS the Advisory Council recommends that the payment be provided to election workers for work
performed in the Michigan August Primary Election and November General Election; and
WHEREAS payment would be made in the form of a reimbursement grant to the unit of government
directly responsible for the employment of election workers. The hazard compensation provided within the
program is an eligible expense as authorized by the County's CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds; and
WHEREAS funds are appropriated and available in the Oakland Together Local Government Partnership
program, per Miscellaneous Resolution #20187.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby
recognizes the crucial role poll workers play during elections, the challenges local clerks are facing
recruiting for this year's elections during the pandemic.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Board of Commissioners hereby amends the policies and procedures for
the Oakland Together Local Government Partnership program to authorize its Oversight Committee to
administer a $50 per day payment per election worker who works a full day in Oakland County during
Michigan's August Primary Election and November General Election.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no budget amendment is required as funding is to come from the
Oakland Together Local Government Partnership authorized by Miscellaneous Resolution #20187.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to all of Oakland County local election
clerks.
Chairperson, on behalf of the Pandemic Response and Eco is Recovery qonfiittee, I e the
adoption of the foregoing resolution.
Commissioner David Woodward, District #17
Chairperson, Pandemic Response and Economic
Recovery Committee
PANDEMIC RESPONSE AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY COMMITTEE VOTE:
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Resolution #20250 July 15, 2020
Moved by Gershenson seconded by Weipert the resolution be adopted.
AYES: Kuhn, Long, Luebs, Markham, McGillivray, Miller, Nelson, Powell, Quarles, Spisz, Taub,
Weipert, Woodward, Zack, Gershenson, Hoffman, Jackson, Kochenderfer, Kowall. (19)
NAYS: None. (0)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the resolution, as presented, was adopted.
Qg C' 1
I HEREBY APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION
CHIEF DEPUTY COUNTY EXECUTIVE
ACTING PURSUANT TO MCL 45.559A (7)
STATE OF MICHIGAN)
COUNTY OF OAKLAND)
I, Lisa Brown, Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and
accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on July 15, 2020,
with the original record thereof now remaining in my office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Circuit Court at Pontiac,
Michigan this 15th day of July, 2020.
Lisa Brown, Oakland County