Officials have agreed to pay a stipend to the county clerk for handling the extra work associated with general elections. The decision was made during the Monday, Aug. 5, meeting of the Washington County Council.

Clerk Stephanie Rockey will receive $2,000 during general elections.

At the council’s July meeting, Rockey explained a new Indiana law that allows a stipend of up to $2,500 for circuit court clerks who serve as voter registration officers.

Rockey said that Washington County’s population is too small to require a separate voter registration officer, so the work remains her responsibility.

The stipend won’t be paid during municipal election years or during special elections. The law was effective as of July 1.

Rockey said the state assigned more responsibilities to clerks, so the stipend is meant to compensate them for the extra work.

Prior to Monday’s vote, Rockey said a record number of county clerks have resigned due to the additional election work being assigned to them.

In addition to that work, clerks are combatting efforts by hackers to access voter rolls. Rockey said Monroe and Clay counties have been affected by hacking efforts.

In other business, the Council also approved a 10-year real estate property tax abatement for Sullivan’s Concrete Coating. The business bought property at the J.F. Helsel Commerce Park and are operating out of a 10,000 square foot facility. Officials hope the purchase will lead to more businesses locating at the park.