The extension of a federal deadline for local governments tomeet the requirements of the Help America Vote Act will not havemuch effect here because of a shortage of funding and otherconcerns, officials say.

The deadline for federal reimbursement of local expenditures waspostponed this week until March 1, said County Administrator DavidFields.

However, the reimbursement funding appropriated to LincolnCounty is far short of the monies needed to bring the county up tothe requirements of the law, Fields said. The Mississippi Secretaryof State’s office has allocated $17,000 of the federal money itreceived to Lincoln County.

“They’re only reimbursing a portion of our costs,” he said.”That isn’t anywhere near what we need for what we have to do.”

County officials had requested $35,000 for the work. Fields,though, indicated the amount could be more once all needs areidentified and whether the county can handle the work on itsown.

Prior to the extension, counties had until Jan. 1 to meetfederal HAVA requirements on precinct houses. In addition to otheraspects of voting, the legislation was enacted to ensure moreadequate access to precinct houses for the handicapped.

The act forces counties to ensure their precinct houses complywith the American with Disabilities Act by the next election. The$17,000 in reimbursement to Lincoln County is only available ifapplied for by March 1, however, Fields said.

“I’m sure the supervisors would love all this to be done byMarch 1, but I’m not sure we can physically do that,” he said.

In Lincoln County, meeting the requirements of those acts meansmany precinct houses will need ramps and widened doorways, amongother changes.

“It’s mainly access where we come short,” Fields said. “Most of(the county’s shortfalls) relate to getting them from the car toinside the building.”

A checklist has been compiled to show supervisors what areas ofeach precinct house need to be improved to meet the requirements.Ramps and doorways top the list.

“I don’t know of any smaller precincts that have suitableexisting ramps,” Fields said.

Precincts housed in schools, volunteer fire departments or thecourthouse already meet the requirements. However, no other votingplaces come close to meeting the mandates, except the new precincthouse at Caseyville, which only needs a ramp, Fields said.

“There are some in the county where I think we’re going to haveto replace the whole thing,” Fields said.

He cited Norfield, Old Red Star and Vaughn as precincts locatedin little buildings that may not be worth spending the money tobring up to the requirements. There are others that may also haveto be considered.

In all cases involving the smaller precincts, time is afactor.

“We may not get them completed in time,” Fields said. “A lotwill depend on the weather. We’re also trying to determine whetherto make a temporary fix or to build new precincts that will last us10 years or more.”

Supervisors have been investigating the needs of each precincthouse to determine the best solution, he said, and will have toreach a decision soon.