Auditor seeks $20,000 for ballot‑on‑demand printers to reduce waste and improve security

The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors authorized up to $20,000 from fiscal year 2026 gaming funds to purchase a Ballot‑on‑Demand printing system, including two printers, two laptops, a paper folding machine and mobility carts for in‑house absentee voting. County Auditor Michelle Scaff told the board the system would strengthen election security by using secure sign‑on for printing and improve accountability for ballot balances.

Scaff said the equipment package in backup materials lists $15,290 to cover the two printers and two laptops and 500 blank ballots; she also noted a recurring annual service fee of $2,800 that she has included in her budget. Scaff estimated the county currently shreds thousands of excess preprinted absentee ballots after elections and cited an approximate per‑ballot cost that would yield modest savings over time. She said Black Hawk County uses the system and reported positive experience at conferences.

Board members asked about hardware longevity and annual cost escalation; Scaff said a single printer's lifecycle was quoted at roughly 150,000 ballots and that annual fees could rise modestly (she mentioned a possible 3% increase). The board approved the request and asked that any resulting contract be returned through the consent agenda for signature with county counsel/staff review.

Clarifying note: the backup material lists a price labeled for a paper folder that appears as "$11.99" in the transcript; the meeting record suggests that figure is incomplete in the transcript and should be verified in procurement documents. The equipment purchase is contingent on final contract review before execution.