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Martin's Additions approves election calendar, debates hiring contractor for voter‑roll verification
Summary
Council approved the FY2026 election schedule and discussed whether to hire a contractor to audit and verify the village voter roll; election committee described heavy volunteer verification burden and asked the council for a scoped estimate and budget authorization.
The Village of Martin's Additions council voted to approve the FY 2026 election schedule submitted by the election committee and held an extended discussion over voter‑roll verification and candidate recruitment tools.
The council unanimously accepted the schedule as submitted. Election committee members, led by Marty, explained that past voter‑roll verification required a substantial volunteer effort — roughly 40 hours for follow‑up verification in the prior audit — and that the county's statewide list is often out of date. Marty said a contractor hired in 2022 (Julian Lampeter) cost about $8,000 and that a repeat engagement this cycle could be done for a lower amount.
"The follow‑up verification — calls, emails, obituary checks and the legal mailings — is what took the time," Marty said, arguing the contractor would relieve volunteers during a busy season of other major village projects.
Manager Michael and other council members asked the committee to provide a clear scope of work and a cost estimate before the council allocates funds. Ron, the village counsel, noted the village's own election regulations (appendix A) set out the committee's verification responsibilities and that the timeline is tight if an outside contractor is to be engaged: "There is that burden built in, so the council should just be aware of" the process, he said.
Council members directed the election committee and staff to return with a scoped procurement plan and an estimated budget; no procurement motion was approved at this meeting.
