Cape County approves buying 33 voting machines

The Cape Girardeau County Commission voted Monday to trade in outdated equipment toward the purchase of new equipment for all polling sites.

Due to recent precinct consolidations, the county now has 33 voting locations. Each will receive updated equipment costing $245,970 from Henry M. Adkins and Son, Inc. of Clinton, Mo., the sole bidder. Up to $6,534 was additionally authorized for a power supply that will insure uninterrupted tabulation in the event of a power outage. The county received $29,640 for machines purchased in 2004 that are now malfunctioning and will likely be used for parts.

The commission approved Commissioner Paul Koeper's proposal that the funding come from money earmarked for capital improvements made available through the reissuance of jail bonds earlier this month.

In other business, the commission approved the purchase of a John Deere motor grader to maintain county gravel roads from Erb Equipment Co. costing $202,348 after trade-in of the fleet's oldest model. The county receives a list of approved bidders for major equipment from the state on a yearly basis that creates set pricing and warranty guidelines. The grader will be received in February and come out of the 2012 budget.

Pertinent address:

1 Barton Sq., Jackson, MO