The Summit County Board of Elections used today's reorganization meeting to reduce the number of positions as well as some salaries.

It's in response to demands by Summit County officials that the board spend less money.  Board Chairman Tim Gorbach says losing six full time and 12 part time positions makes a difference.

"If you annualize it, it's about $350,000 of savings and then you add to that savings the cost of health benefits," said Gorbach.

The board is hoping the effort will help convince Summit County Council to fork over another $200,000 that board members say they need this month to stay operating.

"We may have to shut down before the certification if we do not have the money to pay the employees to do the work," said Board Member Alex Arshinkoff.  "I'm not going to break the law for Russ Pry or members of county council."

At issue, according to Arshinkoff, is the legality of authorizing payroll expenditures later this month without certainty that they will have money to actually cut the checks.  Other board members supported Arshinkoff's call for question to be answered through the prosecutor's office.

Assistant Prosecutor Mike Todd said he thinks there are legitimate concerns, but he'll research further before offering a legal opinion.