CASH-STRAPPED CALHOUN WAITING FOR SPECIAL ELECTION REIMBURSEMENT

(10/12/2010)

The cost of August's special primary election in West Virginia could exceed the $3 million appropriated by the state Legislature, a possibility that has led to concerns over whether the state will be able to repay counties in a timely fashion. The problem could adversely affect cash-strapped Calhoun. The cost of Calhoun's special election totaled $18,139, with the County Clerk already submitting a bill to the state to cover the cost. The legislature appropriated just $3 million, despite a fiscal note attached to the bill estimating the cost at $5.9 million. "If the current average cost per county holds, we will be looking at a grand total of more than the amount appropriated by the legislature," said Dave Nichols, state manager of elections. Secretary of State Natalie Tennant said last week it was still too early to tell if the totals would exceed the appropriated amount. Patti Hamilton, executive director of the West Virginia Association of Counties said, "We came up more in the neighborhood of $4 million. Hamilton said the organization sent a letter to legislators warning that their appropriation might not be enough.

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