The Voters Registration & Elections Board of Clarendon County is proud to recognize a successful cost-saving initiative that resulted in significant savings for the taxpayers of Clarendon County.
The Board needed six transport cages for voting machine equipment. Commercial estimates ranged from approximately $1,600 to $4,000 per cage, which would have cost taxpayers between $9,600 and $24,000.
Instead, Board Chairman Ed Gamble proposed an innovative solution which the entire board of directors approved unanimously. Clarendon County would supply the metal, casters, hinges, hasps, and paint, while giving the local career center’s welding class a project for experience.
Chairman Gamble initially approached the Clarendon County School District and received enthusiasm for the project from FE DuBose Career Center’s Interim Director Dr. Keisa Carr. However, the project ultimately did not move forward through that avenue. With a heavy election season approaching fast, there was no time to waste.
Board member Mike Streath then contacted Axel Reis, Department Chair of the Welding Department at Central Carolina Technical College in Sumter. Mr. Reis immediately agreed to assist with the project, working alongside Welding Instructor Josh Padgett and the college’s Certificate Welding Class. Because the board saw the practicality of this decision, this initiative reduced the fabrication cost to approximately $600 per cage. The total project cost came to around $3,600—a savings of thousands of taxpayer dollars.
The students and instructors did an outstanding job fabricating, welding, and painting the cages. Their craftsmanship, professionalism, and willingness to support their community helped make this project a tremendous success.
The taxpayers of Clarendon County are grateful for the vision of Chairman Ed Gamble, the coordination and negotiations by Board Member Mike Streath, the cooperation of the board of directors, and the exceptional work performed by Mr. Reis, Mr. Padgett, and the Certificate Welding Class at Central Carolina Technical College.
This project is a great example of government, education, and community partners working together to achieve outstanding results while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.
