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Decision Delayed On Giving Election Office $2.3 Million

News Channel 8 photo by ERIC HAUSMANN

Buddy Johnson lost to Phyllis Busansky in November by 18,000 votes.

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By MIKE SALINERO

msalinero@tampatrib.com

Published: December 16, 2008

Updated: 12/17/2008 05:02 pm

TAMPA - Supervisor of Elections Buddy Johnson won't get the $2.3 million he wants from the Hillsborough County Commission to cover elections costs.

Johnson was a no-show Wednesday at the county commission meeting, instead sending his chief deputy to ask commissioners for the money she said was needed to pay for expenses related to the November general election, when the office switched from touch-screen machines to optical-scan machines.

Johnson's absence infuriated Commissioner Rose Ferlita, who said it was an insult that Johnson did not attend to ask for the money in person.

In the end, the commissioners voted unanimously to review the elections office records before agreeing to give any money.

The review is expected to be completed next month, after Johnson's successor, Phyllis Busansky, takes office Jan. 4

Johnson did not return calls to his office and cell phone Wednesday afternoon.

Pinellas County elections officials have not requested any additional money.

Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303.

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