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McLeod County reports $317,002 in 2024 election expenses; auditor outlines major cost categories
Summary
The county auditor-treasurer presented a breakdown of 2024 election costs totaling $317,002, including salaries, maintenance agreements and ballot programming; the board discussed the financial and administrative burden of conducting elections.
McLeod County Auditor-Treasurer presented the county's 2024 election expense summary during the Jan. 7 board meeting, reporting total direct costs of $317,002.
The auditor explained that the figure covers county costs for three 2024 elections and includes prorated salaries and benefits for three full-time election staff and five part-time election workers ($189,449), annual maintenance agreements for county election equipment ($33,990), programming of tabulators and ballot devices ($41,070), ballots and envelopes ($28,490), office supplies ($12,574), and other items including mileage, meals and a small capital PC upgrade. The auditor noted there was no overtime for salaried employees included in the total and that other county full-time employees assisted with election tasks without being charged to this total.
The county received $51,245 reimbursement related to a primary election (PNP) that offset part of the cost; the auditor noted that townships and cities pay some election-related costs themselves (for example, paying their election judges) so the county total does not capture every local expense tied to elections. Commissioners expressed surprise at the total cost and thanked election staff for their work, noting that running elections is resource-intensive and that the state-level statutes and funding arrangements can affect county burdens.
No vote was required; the item was an informational report.
