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Linn County auditor cites savings on budget mailer, explains state changes that removed inactive voter registrations
Summary
County Auditor Todd Taylor reported a lower bid for the mandated budget-statement mailer and summarized state changes that reduced the number of inactive voters; Taylor said the county must meet deadlines for mailer data and that the first public budget hearing cannot be held prior to March 20 under current rules.
Todd Taylor, Linn County auditor, told the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 4 that the county rebid its mandated budget-statement mailer and awarded the work to Professional Office Services of Waterloo, saving roughly $2,500 off staff's prior estimate. He said the vendor price for the mailer is about $55,500 and that data for cities, schools and the county must be submitted by March 5 so the mailer can be sent no later than March 15.
Taylor said the statutory schedule means entities cannot hold their first public budget hearing until March 20 or later, based on changes tied to the recent legislative file cited in staff materials. He described the timing as coming from recent statutory adjustments and said county offices are assisting local entities with certification and timelines.
On voter rolls, Taylor noted a recent drop in inactive registrations after a statewide change in how inactivity is tracked. Citing secretary-of-state data, he said there were 82,316 fewer inactive Iowa voters reported statewide in the latest count and that Linn County accounted for about 11,061 fewer inactive voters under the new standard. Taylor emphasized that the inactive/active distinction is a participation status and that an inactive voter can vote and have their status restored by participating in any election, including a school-board election.
Taylor also raised the prospect of cost savings and constituent outreach options, such as an "opt-in" email for the mandated mailer, but said any move away from mailing would likely require legislative change.
Ending: Taylor said he and the auditor's office will continue to work with cities and schools to meet the March certification and hearing schedule and that the office will pursue public outreach and voter-registration assistance as needed.
