Jennifer, the county clerk, presented the county‑clerk and elections budgets to the Finance Committee on Sept. 15 and said costs for 2026 will be higher because of two scheduled elections and new recurring software and maintenance fees.

The clerk told the committee the general fund request for the clerk's office is $425,513 (about a 4.25% increase over current year projections). For the elections department, staff proposed a budget that reflects two elections in 2026 and new annual licensing and maintenance fees tied to recently purchased systems.

Key items presented:
- New voter‑registration platform and poll books: The clerk said the vendor contract includes annual fees starting Jan. 1, 2026. She reported the poll books' annual cost at roughly $31,500 and the voter‑registration system at roughly $68,000 per year under the multi‑year contract described in the meeting. The clerk said the initial system purchase cost will be offset by a state grant reimbursement expected next summer; the clerk expects to submit for reimbursement and receive payment the following summer.
- Ballot and printing costs: Professional services and ballot printing are up because of two elections next year; the clerk said this also drives higher temporary staffing and overtime needs.
- Election‑judge pay: The clerk budgeted for increased judge pay (presented to the committee as $300 base pay per judge) and a supervisor pay increase mentioned in committee materials. The clerk said final confirmation of those pay rates would be completed at the committee review the following day.
- Equipment and maintenance: Annual firmware and maintenance fees for tabulators and ballot‑marking devices begin in 2026; the clerk included a maintenance line for tabulator service and for a new EMS license that begins in 2026 with an annual cost shown in the packet.

Revenue and grant notes: The clerk said the initial VR system purchase will be reimbursed by a grant (the clerk estimated a $98,000 reimbursement for the VR system cost and said a portion will be received the following summer). The clerk also noted potential reductions in postage and voter‑mail costs after systems go live because some mail and notices will shift to electronic delivery.

Committee reaction and next steps: Committee members asked for confirmation of a few contract terms and for the clerk to coordinate with other departments on shared postage and mailing lines. The clerk said she would confirm the exact license and recurring cost lines and return with any amendments at the next committee meeting. No formal vote was taken on the budgets at the Sept. 15 session; the materials were presented for review and inclusion in the 2026 budget process.

Sources: Finance Committee transcript, Sept. 15, 2025; county clerk presentation materials provided at the meeting.