Cherokee County gets unexpected election windfall

Cherokee County will receive an unexpected windfall, thanks to a bill passed in the last session of the Legislature.

County government will receive $9,720.18 in allocated state funds to defray the cost of the May 12 constitutional amendment election.

The 80th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 556 which authorizes the Secretary of State to provide partial reimbursement of election expenditures to Texas counties. County Auditor L.H. Crockett said Aug. 16 that funds had not been received in his office.

Cherokee County was pre-approved to receive up to $10,956.16, an amount based on the number of certified voters in the county. The funds will be used to pay for the election. Since the actual expenses were less than the approved figure the county will only receive that amount.

HB 556 gave the secretary of state authority to administer and distribute state funds to reimburse political subdivisions for expenses incurred in conducting a statewide special election. The legislature budgeted $5 million to the secretary of state which will be distributed based on the number of registered voters in each county.