Newton County Clerk Donnie Davis holds a letter received from the State Board of Election Commissioners that recently conducted an audit of the 2024 General Election held in Newton County. The county received a 100% accuracy score. Charlie Morris, of the SBEC, presented the letter of recognition to Davis for the county's level of voting integrity.
Jeff Dezort/Staff
Posted
JEFF DEZORT
Newton County Times
The Newton County Quorum Court met in regular session Monday night, April 7, and the only items of new business were passages of two ordinances, one was required to amend the 2024 Road Department budget. The second amended the 2025 Road Department budget.
New revenue totaling $133,649.84 was received for project work performed in 2024. This money was earmarked for salaries, contract labor, Social Security, noncontributory retirement, supplies, uniforms, tires as well as parts and repairs for equipment.
The second ordinance appropriated $139,071.45 for current year projects. The money was applied to contract labor, overtime and premium compensation, janitorial supplies, dirt, gravel and sand, water and salaries.
Newton County Clerk Donnie Davis reported to the quorum court the results of the Newton County 2024 General Election Audit. He noted this was the third time the county had been audited, and for the third time results showed 100% accuracy.
The number of certified results tapes and accompanying paper ballots were randomly selected by number generator and races were also randomly selected based on a ballot contest(s )which appeared on each voter's ballot.
Number of DS200s chosen: 13
Total number of ballots counted: 1,981
Total number of ballots cast: 3,789
Percentage of ballots counted versus ballots cast: 52%
Hand count ballots vs. CRTs result accuracy percentage: 100%
Sheriff's Deputy Adam Sirmons approached the quourm court asking it to consider allowing the sheriff's office to create a catastrophic leave policy. The policy would set out procedures that would allow sheriff's office employees to donate their unused overtime compensation and personal time off into a special fund to provide paid leave to employees having to take extended time off to recover from injuries or serious illness. In order for employees to be eligible to receive emergency leave they would have to contribute at least eight hours a year to the fund.
The JPs said they would like more information asking for a breakdown on the number of compensation hours accrued by sheriff's office staff to date and the amount of money those hours represent. They tabled the request until that information was acquired for review.
Newton County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Toinette Madison requested the quorum court for its endorsement for a proposed state grant application being considered by the Chamber. The grant would assist the chamber of commerce fund promotional public events that would benefit the local economy. The county would act as the fiduciary for the received funds and appropriate them to the chamber of commerce for use as intended. The court voted to serve in that capacity should the chamber be awarded a grant.
The JPs retired into executive session or the motion made by JP Steven Adams. Executive sessions are called to discuss personnel. The executive session lasted from 7:21 p.m. to 8:04 p.m. No action was taken and the meeting was adjourned.
