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Town staff: state law, vendor equipment drive election costs; council to sign county agreement
Summary
Staff told the Woodruff Town Council that statutory requirements for ballots and tabulation equipment, and a recent purchase of an on‑demand printer, limit potential savings on election expenses; the council indicated it will sign an agreement to use the county for election services.
Town staff said at the meeting that state law requires certain security and tabulation standards that drive election costs, and recommended signing an agreement with the county to provide election services.
An elections staff member said the town is “required by statute” to hold elections and noted specifications for printed ballots, tabulation machines and security-related replacement cycles. The staff member said the town purchased an on‑demand ballot printer this year and spread that expense over five years; equipment is expected to be replaced on similar multi‑year cycles for security reasons. The staff member added that the only likely line‑item savings would be mailing and postage and that, if the town did not hold an election, the town would not incur the contract cost for that year.
Council members discussed whether the listed $6.45 figure applied per election or annually. The staff member said the fee would apply only in years an election is required and that the town can cancel the contract for a year in which no election is held. Council members also noted that state guidance requires tabulation machines and other security measures, and that, as a practical matter, contracting with the county is likely less expensive than attempting to run the town’s own election equipment and processes.
One council member suggested elevating statutory questions to the lieutenant governor’s office if needed. Another member said the council would sign the agreement and return it to staff.
No formal vote on the agreement was recorded in the transcript. The discussion concluded with council members agreeing to sign the paperwork and to revisit details if circumstances change.
