Views from the Linn County Auditor

Tim Box sworn in as Deputy Auditor

February 27^th was a busy day….

In the morning, the Board of Supervisors (BOS) grilled me about adding a deputy position to my office, as well as, remodeling the counter area of my office.  At the conclusion of the discussion, the BOS voted to allow me to proceed on both items, i.e., adding the deputy and remodeling the counter.

In the afternoon, I swore in Tim Box, i.e., he took an Oath of Office.  Click here to see a photo of us at the conclusion of the swearing in ceremony.

Mr. Tim Box has been a county employee for nine (9) years and has served the last four (4) years as Voter Registration Systems Administrator.  Tim will now serve as Deputy Auditor & Commissioner of Elections.

Why did I add a deputy to my management staff?  As I proceeded with my planning for the 2008 elections, I came to the conclusion I needed additional management resources within Elections Services.

At present, we have two (2) election clerks and including Tim, two (2) deputy commissioners of elections.  Preceding, during, and after the upcoming elections these two deputies will be managing 2 elections clerks, 1-4 voting machine technicians, 1-12 temporary election clerks, and 1-700 precinct election officials.  When you analyze the span of control and tasks and timelines for elections ... especially the 2008 elections - I think you would conclude that two deputies are justified.

I was trying to think of an industry in the private sector that does something similar to Election Services, i.e., a business that expands their workforce from 4 to 700 personnel and back to 4 twice within the same calendar year.  Corn detasseling is the only one that came to mind.  –Joel @ 3:30pm

A candidate for State Representative

I attended a Linn County Democratic Central Committee meeting on February 27^th and heard GRETCHEN RAE LAWYER announce her intentions to run for Iowa State Representative – District 36 – a seat currently occupied by Swati Dandekar, who is running for Iowa State Senator – District 18 – a seat currently occupied by Mary Lundby, who is running for Linn County Supervisor – District 4.

Four, eighteen, thirty-six – hike!  Confused?  If you live in Cedar Rapids, you will also have to remember which Council District you reside in, i.e., District 1-5 …but only during City Council election time.

By the way, IF you request a current voter registration card – all of the districts will be printed on the card including your Supervisor District.

I don’t have much visibility into who is running for the Legislature as they file with the Iowa Secretary of State (SOS).  Reminder:  If you running for State or Federal offices, you need to file with the SOS no later than 5pm on March 14^th.

I assume all of Linn County’s current legislators are running for re-election with the exception of Senator Mary Lundby.  Click here for information on Linn County's current legislators.  If anyone knows of candidates I have not listed, please notify me at auditor@linncounty.org and I will post it on my blog.  See yesterday's blog entry for a list of county candidates.  --Joel @ 12:35pm

P.S.  I will gladly attend a Republican, Green, or Libertarian Central Committee meeting just as soon as I receive an invitation.  ###

More county candidates ... for county supervisor

Since I skipped blogging yesterday, I'm doing two entries today....

Two individuals have requested candidate packets.  They are:

John Erceg - Republican for Supervisor District 2

Eric Rosenthal - Republican for Supervisor District 3

For a list of other candidates, click on February 6th or January 24th.  --Joel @ 7:30pm

County government: managers versus deputies

I knew before taking office that the position of Auditor had deputies and managers reporting to it.  I knew the deputies were political appointees – meaning I could replace them upon taking office – and I could set their salaries as long as I remained at or below the cap set by the Iowa Code, i.e., 80% of my salary for two deputies and 75% for other deputies.

I discovered managers are treated differently.  Although they report to me, their salaries and benefits are determined by the Board of Supervisors.  The biggest advantage of designating a position as a manager is the ability to bypass the statutory limits for deputies, i.e., the 80% caps or $67,564.30.

Last year, the Iowa Legislature decided to increase the respective caps from 80% to 85% and from 75% to 80% for deputies in the Auditor’s, Treasurer’s, and Recorder’s Offices; however, this did NOT affect the deputies in the Sheriff’s or County Attorney’s Offices as the Legislature increased their caps years ago.

In my opinion, the trend in county government is to decrease the number of deputies and increase the number of managers even though a deputy converted to a manager may be doing the exact same work as he/she did as a deputy.  It's possible the only difference is that someone took the deputy’s job description and titled it “manager”.

I remember a discussion vintage 1988 at Teleconnect when I was working on a compensation committee reviewing every job description in the company.  At one point, the HR Director declared, “if it walks like a duck and it quacks like a duck, you can call it whatever you want, but it’s still a duck”.

I challenge anyone to name a private sector firm in the State of Iowa that has ever frozen the salaries of one group of employees and not frozen the salaries of the remaining employees.  Please provide a contact name and phone number as I will call them to confirm.  And I will print their name in my blog – assuming it won’t get them sued.

If you’re going to freeze the salaries of one group of “ducks”, then you should be freezing the salaries of the other “ducks”.  Fair is fair!  --Joel @ 7:00pm

Take the day off, get paid, AND perform a pubic service - Apply now...

Recently, I recommended a pay raise for precinct election officials (PEO) and on February 13^th, the Board of Supervisors approved my recommendation.

 

Here are the new pay rates:

 

Primary Election, June 3, 2008 – Full day for Chairperson - $160.00
Full day for Official - $140.00
Half day for Official - $ 56.00

General Election, Nov. 4, 2008 – Full day for Chairperson - $200.00
Full day for Official - $160.00
Half day for Official - $ 64.00

Elections on July 1, 2008 or after – Noon opening Chairperson – $110.00
Noon opening Official - 88.00

 

If you are interested in becoming a PEO, please click here for a job application.

 

We had not increased the pay of PEOs since 2001.  Any election occurring before June 30^th (except for the Primary Election) will be paid at the current rate of $110/day for precinct officials and $130/day for Chairpersons. 

 

Approximately, 671 PEOs will be hired to administer the November 4^th General Election.  A similar number will be hired for the June 3rd Primary Election.  This is a win-win-win for you, the County, and democracy.  Take the day off, get paid, AND perform a public service.  --Joel @ 3:35pm

Paper ballots and audits before the November election

Recently, I received a letter and petition from MoveOn.org.  They indicate nearly 250,000 voters nationwide and 155 voters from Linn County affirm the statement:  "We must act quickly to secure our elections with paper ballots and audits before November".

Click here to see the letter and the names of petitioners from Linn County.

Assuming the EAC (US Election Assistance Commission) certifies the voting equipment we plan to purchase AND then the Iowa Secretary of State certifies the voting equipment we plan to purchase AND then the Board of Supervisors approves the purchase of the voting equipment AND then we receive the voting equipment in time to train our precinct election officials on it, test it, and get it deployed to the polling places … every Linn County voter’s vote in the November election will be recorded on a paper ballot.

The issue of post election audits is completely undecided and must be decided by a legislative body, i.e., the US Congress and/or the Iowa Legislature.  I, as Auditor & Commissioner of Elections, do not have the authority to arbitrarily conduct an audit on a whim and I do not want the authority to conduct an audit on a whim.  Whatever we do in this area of the voting process must be fair and consistent to all - which is what legislation is suppose to accomplish.  –Joel @ 2:00pm

The hardest part of planning is to get started

The hardest part of planning is to get started.  So this week, I got started.

Actually, I started many weeks ago, but some of my plans were killed during the appropriations process, i.e., I was denied funding.  While that was a disappointment, I was not surprised.  I regrouped and came up with some alternatives … one of which I will be presenting to the Board of Supervisors at 9am on Monday, February 25^th.  You’re welcome to join me at this public meeting.

In the meantime, I created a Gantt chart of the 2008 State of Iowa Elections Calendar using Microsoft Project.  It’s a work-in-progress and it probably makes more sense to the PMPs (Project Management Professionals) in the area than the majority of people.  I have lots of details to add to localize this chart for Linn County.  Take a look and stay tuned.  If you want the mpp file associated with this chart, please reply to auditor@linncounty.org –Joel @ 10:15pm

Lets share the pain

Yesterday, I attended parts of the Board of Supervisors’ (BOS) meeting.  As expected, they approved publishing the annual budget in an upcoming issue of the Gazette.  What I did not expect to hear was a discussion on the elected officials’ salaries.  Two of the three members of the BOS indicated they plan to vote to freeze elected officials’ salaries.  This decision means deputies and assistants working for the County Attorney and the County Sheriff will also have their salaries frozen.

On at least two occasions – once in person and once via letter - I requested that the BOS freeze the salaries of all management personnel with salaries at or above $80K.  My logic:  If the BOS is freezing elected officials salaries due to the recent bad news about the economy, then let’s share the pain among those county employees receiving the highest salaries.

The combined annual salaries for the eight (8) elected officials is $740,388.70.  A 1% increase for all 8 officials would cost the county $7,403.89.  A 3% increase – close to the annual cost of living increase – would cost the county $22,211.66.  If the BOS denies a 3% increase for elected officials, then the county saves $22K.

On the other hand, if you planned to give every employee with a salary of $80K or more a 3% increase, but later changed your mind and decided to freeze their salaries, you would save the county $108,178.99.

Freezing the salaries of elected officials and NOT freezing the salaries of the highly compensated managers would be unfair.  In fact, someone might wonder:  Are elected officials with deputies, i.e., the Auditor, Recorder, Treasurer, Sheriff, and County Attorney being treated like “second class employees”?  --Joel @ 3:25pm

 

From trust everyone to trust no one

I’ve had some time to reflect on the Election Center Workshop (see previous entry).  Here’s some take-aways that are on my mind:

• From trust everyone to trust no one.  We can thank the debacles in Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004 for eroding the public’s trust in voting systems and the voting process.  Throughout this same period, the election process in Iowa and Linn County has retained its integrity.  I’m not saying it's been perfect or that errors have not occurred.  I’m saying that I’m unaware of any attempts by anyone in Iowa or Linn County to tamper with the voting systems and/or the voting processes with the intent to change the outcome of an election.  I trust you will – in a nice way – correct me if I’m wrong. 
• Backups, backups, and more backups – Have backup plans in place.  Backup personnel in place.  Backup equipment available.  A backup office to relocate to.  Backup power.  Backup phones.  Backups to backups.  Prepare for the worst – hope for the best. 
• Checklists – Create them, borrow them, plagiarize them, use them – but don’t re-invent them.
  

Again, these are some take-aways that are on my mind at 10:55pm on a Tuesday night.  What’s on your mind?  --Joel @ 11:10pm

Preparing for the Presidential General Election

Currently, I'm in Louisville, Kentucky, attending a workshop hosted by the Election Center - a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and improving democracy. Its members are government employees whose profession is to serve in voter registration and elections administration.

About 72 election professionals are attending the workshop. I think Ryan from Utah is probably the person who traveled the farthest to be here.

While the workshop lectures are very informative, I find the conversations over lunch and dinner and breaks to be just as informative. During the welcome reception last night, I was fielding lots of questions about the Iowa caucuses from Bonnie and Winn from North Carolina (NC).

NC is scheduled to hold its presidential primary in May. Imagine for a moment what the residents of NC are missing ... no presidential candidate rallies – no campaign flyers showing up in mailboxes – and no phone calls from candidates. Some Iowans would think, “how boring” and some would think, “that would be heaven”. Ironically, North Carolina's late primary may get lots of attention from the Democratic candidates. It could be the state that pushes one of the candidates over the top in delegates.

One of the themes I have been preaching to my staff is my belief that this upcoming presidential election is going to be the biggest, the most scrutinized, and the most important election that has occurred in our lifetime. That same theme is being expressed at this workshop and an AP-Ipsos poll added credibility to that theme.

The February 7^th – 10^th Associated Press – Ipsos poll of 1,029 adults (with an error rate of +/- 3.5%) indicated:

In a Clinton versus McCain election, Clinton would get 46% of the vote to McCain's 45%. In an Obama versus McCain election, Obama would get 48% of the vote to McCain's 42%.

The most important aspect of this poll – at least for election administrators - is NOT who is projected to win. The most important aspect for election administrators is the projection that the election is going to be close, i.e., 6% is still very close. And that's why I believe this is election is going to be the “most scrutinized” election we have ever experienced. What do you think? --Joel @ 11:50pm CST

51st US State at Landstuhl Coffee Shop

In an earlier entry, I commented on the Democratic National Committee allocating 22 delegates to Democrats Abroad.

The story below is from a German newspaper. It was translated into English and sent to me by my son. I like the fact that one of the political parties has opened up the presidential nominating process to citizens overseas. It's time for the other party to do the same. Here's the article. Joel @ 4:30pm

DIE RHEINPFALZ, 12 February 2008, Kaiserslautern County Page – translation by sandra archer/petra day, public affairs office

51st US-State at Landstuhl Coffee Shop

Landstuhl: American Democrats abroad organize primaries

Voting cards and voting boxes were added to coffee and cake: On Sunday afternoon Americans re-configured Café Goldinger at Landstuhl into a polling station. Americans Democrats had invited their fellow countrymen to participate in the primary elections.

“With our votes we are somewhat like the 51st state of America,” said Sudie Nolan-Cassimatis, local election campaign chief describing the impact of the primaries conducted in Germany.

Via their international bureau “Democrats Abroad” the Democratic Party of the United States organizes primaries world-wide, including the Kaiserslautern Chapter where there was a busy coming and going around the voting box at Café Goldinger in Landstuhl on Sunday afternoon.

The expatriates appreciate this easy and effective way to exercise their right to vote. Absentee ballot is possible but, depending of the state, is very complicated and takes place much later. By voting now the party members can perhaps already tip the scales now and decide which candidate will win in the end.

According to US law people must enter their names in voting lists and register as “Democrats”.

Along a line with forms people are led to the voting box decorated with a colorful star and US-flags – a little patriotism is necessary. “I would love to have the ‘double team’; Hillary Clinton as president and Barack Obama as vice president; and I’m here because every vote counts”, says Robert M. Künne. Many others say the same in casual chats while enjoying coffee and cakes. Voters receive a sticker saying “I voted” after they gave their ballots.

More than 50 people gave their vote before 5 p.m. and “many participated via internet” Ron Schlundt assumes. He is the treasurer of the German section of the Democrats Abroad and gives away the secret of the successful as well as fun afternoon: “Democrats are just more cheerful”.

The results will be published in the internet on 22 February. Then 22 delegates will go to the caucus in the summer. On behalf of the Americans in Germany they will vote for Clinton or Obama.

Campaign helper Bruni Künne is proud of the achievement of the Kaiserslautern chapter and team: “For the first time in 20 years we were able to organize primaries here - and, by the way, we are the only party that did it”. The team experience seems important to everybody. “People even came from Weinheim or St. Ingbert”, says dynamic Sudie Nolan-Cassimatis.

The American spirit and the US insignia are quite a contrast to the placid Landstuhl coffee shop with the typical Sunday afternoon customers. “America needs a change and we will make it” is the message everybody takes along as the voting station empties.

###

Iowans - We can do better! Right?

A friend sent me an Independence Day Quiz (click on the link) which is a good test for those of us over 50, as well as, everyone else.  I just took it and scored a 29 (with a little help from my Code of Iowa books – hey, lawyers and librarians don’t memorize everything … but they know where to find it).

In any case, Iowa needs some help on the score board.  The average scores of Iowans taking the test are one (1) point above a bunch of folks from various Canadian provinces.  How embarrassing is that ... Canadians knowing more about our history than our fellow Iowans?

But that’s not really surprising when I think about it.  When I visit my in-laws in Ecuador, I am always amazed at their depth of understanding of US policies and politics.  And I when I was serving in the US Army in the Republic of Panama, my Panamanian neighbors demonstrated a similar level of understanding.  My perception is that our overseas neighbors and new immigrants know more about our country and our history than we do.  Why is that? And how do we change it?  --Joel @ 10:15pm

Compensation Board decides not to reconvene

A February 8^th letter from Allen Merta, Chair of the Linn County Compensation Board, to the Linn County Board of Supervisors indicates the Compensation Board is declining the request to reconvene.  Do you agree or disagree with the Compensation Board’s decision?  Click here to take a quick 3 question survey.  –Joel @ 2:30pm

Survey results from Running for Public Office

I closed my first blog survey (see Take a leave of absence and run for public office) and here are the results:

 

16 - # of survey visitors 

4 – actual # of visitors completing the survey 

4 – considered running for elected office, i.e., 1 for city council, 1 for state senator, 1 for county auditor (other than me), and 1 for an unspecified office. 

1 – one person indicated:  his/her employer would not grant a leave of absence, he/she could not raise the needed campaign funds, no one ever asked him/her to run for office, he/she doesn’t know anything about any elected office, and taking a leave of absence would stall his/her career. 

2 - # of visitors who wanted additional information.  I talked to one and I’m waiting for the other person to reply to my email.

 

To those who completed the survey – Thanks!  --Joel @ 2:10pm

Open meetings and an unforgettable meeting

One of the criticisms I heard when I began serving on the Robins City Council occurred after we voted on a controversial issue.  We heard plenty of public comments and then with little discussion amongst the Council, we voted.  The public was outraged!  “Why did you do that?  What was the reasoning behind your vote?”  We moved onto the next agenda item.  I remember the headshaking and disgruntled faces and unsatisfied people walking away.  I have never forgotten that meeting.

 

When I became Mayor of Robins, I vowed to never let an issue get to a vote without the council members giving their reasons for their vote.  Not every councilor would give a reason, but that didn’t stop me from asking.  The more controversial the issue, the more likely I was going to ask each member of the council for their reason(s).  The public may not have agreed with their reason(s) and/or their vote, but at the very least they heard something.

 

I am very sensitive to Iowa’s open meetings and open records laws, Chapter 21 and Chapter 22 of the Iowa Code, respectively.  I believe government bodies - especially local governments - should be completely open and transparent.  The public’s business should be conducted in public … and communicated to the public ... which is one of the reasons why I’m blogging.  Have you attended any local government meetings within the last 12 months?  Click on this link and take a quick survey.  –Joel @ 6:00pm

Another potential candidate for supervisor and a decision on terms

Today and per Chapter 331.208 paragraph 4 of the Iowa Code, the Board of Supervisors decided when and how they will hold the lottery to determine which supervisor districts are assigned which term length.  The first three districts pulled from a hat will be assigned four year terms and the last two districts will be assigned two year terms.  A district court judge will be requested to do the pulling on Wednesday, February 27^th, at a Board meeting.

 

Since my January 24^th blog, three individuals have requested candidate packets.  They are:

 

Bernita Rozinek – Democrat for Supervisor District 2

David Zahn – Republican for Sheriff

Keith Huebner – Republican for Supervisor District 2 (the latest potential candidate)

 

Reminder:  The filing period for county offices is March 3^rd – March 26^th.  Once the filing period concludes, I will be asking each candidate to provide a candidate profile – just as I did with the school and city candidates last Fall.  –Joel @ 11:00am

I'm claiming bragging rights at least or until ...

... one of my fellow Auditor's can prove otherwise.  I think Linn County's Elections Department may be the first in the state to be SEAT certified (see press release below).  And if that claim doesn't hold up, we should be the Department with the most SEAT certified graduates - five (5).  In any case, I'm proud of this team:  Sue, Tim, Sarah, and Carolyn.  And proud to be part of this team!  --Joel @ 5:10pm

LINN ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT COMPLETES TEAM GOAL                    

CEDAR RAPIDS—All Linn County election staff members are now certified Iowa State Election Administrators. On January 18, election staff members Sarah Little, Carolyn Schlotter and Tim Box along with Auditor & Commissioner of Elections Joel Miller, completed SEAT (Iowa State Election Administrators Training) certification sponsored by the Iowa State Association of Counties, the Iowa Secretary of State's Office, and the State & Local Government Programs of Iowa State University . This completes the goal of having the entire department certified. Sue Wold, Deputy Auditor in charge of Elections, received her certification in 2003. 

Course curriculum topics ranged from registering voters to certifying election results as well as media and ethical issues. Courses were held in Johnston, Iowa. 

The first SEAT (Iowa State Election Administrators Training) session was held in August 2002.  The goals of SEAT are to: 

• Enhance the trust of Iowans in the state electoral process by certifying the professional competence of Iowa's election administrators.
• Provide a forum in which Iowa election administrators can share and learn from their counterparts about best practices in the administration of elections.
• Provide an educational curriculum that will increase the knowledge of election administrators about laws and rules affecting the administration of elections in Iowa.
• Provide an educational curriculum that will build the skills of election administrators to effectively engage the voting public and media in the pursuit of conducting well-run elections.  

The Linn County Elections Department is now more prepared than ever to effectively handle the 2008 election year and beyond.

Department Description

The Linn County Auditor & Commissioner of Elections is responsible for administering all elections held within the county. On average, 10 elections per year are held in Linn County. These elections may be special elections, school elections, municipal elections, or primary and general elections. Linn County is comprised of 18 cities, 14 school districts, and 139,000 registered voters. 

Joel Miller became Linn County’s Auditor & Commissioner of Elections on February 20, 2007. His current term of office expires December 31, 2008.   

The Auditor’s Office is comprised of almost 60 employees assigned to several teams. Election Services is described above. Accounts Payable processes 1,200 invoices per week and manages a database of 4,000+ vendors. Every other week, Payroll processes the wages for 1,100+ employees. GIS/Mapping manages a geographical information database containing 95,000+ parcels. Real Estate processes about 800 real estate transfers per month. The Property Tax team reviews the annual budgets of 56 local government entities and consolidates the tax rates of 260 taxing districts. The Facilities department provides custodial and maintenance support for 12 buildings containing 475,069 square feet of floor space.  ###

My letter to the Compensation Board ...

... along with my letter to the Board of Supervisors (BOS) can be viewed at http://www.linncounty.org/files/download.asp?type=Adobe&mode=view&I=4171.  In addition, I've included a copy of the letter sent by the BOS to the Compensation Board.

On Friday afternoon, as I was listening to the Bob Bruce Radio Experience (BBRE) on WMT-600, I heard State Representative Tyler Olson describe a bill he was drafting to allow county supervisors to lower their salaries independent of other elected officers, e.g., the county auditor.  Rep. Olson did not indicate who requested the bill, but did indicate it was in reaction to the recent discussion regarding supervisor salaries and the county compensation board.  This was the first time I had heard any mention of this bill.  Thank you BBRE!  --Joel @ 10:30am

 

Democrats and Republicans abroad as delegates?