Milton officials begin elections plan

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Following the Milton City Council’s decision to run their own municipal elections, city staff continue to check boxes and prepare for the months to come.

At an April 10 meeting City Manager Steve Krokoff presented his team’s newest findings and posited the latest in what will be a string of decisions for the council to make before November.

Thus far the city has made a few official steps forward.

Councilmembers have fixed and published qualifying fees for the three Post 2 positions that will be on the ballot. They’ve updated the city code as it relates to municipal elections, and some staff members have attended elections training.

Still, a number of items remain on the checklist.

One notable topic at the April 10 meeting was the price tag. Krokhoff’s presentation included a cost estimate of $98,382, around $26,000 more than the one presented by the Milton Municipal Election Feasibility

Committee.

The increase is at least in part due to additions such as a 10 percent contingency and funding for an elections consultant, Milton Deputy City Manager Stacey Inglis said.

Elections staff

The city’s task force currently comprises Inglis, City Clerk Tammy Lowit and Krokoff, who the City Council appointed as municipal elections superintendent during Monday’s meeting.

The three underwent specialized training, which included learning how to use GARVIS, Georgia’s new voting system that was implemented this year, as well as an overview of the election process through the Secretary of State’s office. They have also completed an 11-module course to earn the Municipal Election Official Certification.

The assistant elections superintendent, the absentee ballot clerk and the elections consultant, who would guide the city throughout preparations, are roles yet to be filled.