Clerk warns of voting-system upgrade, extra poll pads and higher election staffing needs

During the May 21 meeting, City Clerk Eileen Simons detailed operational needs tied to elections administration for FY2027, focusing on staffing, equipment and reimbursements.

Simons said the city will need 14 additional poll pads at roughly $750 apiece as the voting system is upgraded; she stated those costs were placed in the IT capital plan rather than the clerk’s operating budget. She also described increases in seasonal poll-worker pay and stipends for DPW setup and noted a requested $5,000 increase in overtime to cover early-voting staffing demands. Simons said some election-related expenses are reimbursable by the state after the election, but reimbursements post to the general fund and cannot be relied on as upfront budget support.

Councilors asked about turnout metrics and whether increased electronic registration would raise postage costs for mailed dog-license tags; Simons said the Building Department covers postage for mailed tags. She also described tools the clerk uses to manage multilingual needs, including bilingual staff and virtual poll-worker services that can support many languages at polling locations.

The committee voted to recommend the Elections & Registrations personnel budget ($293,483) and expenditures ($61,050); motions carried by voice vote. Chair Davis recorded four hands in favor for each motion. Simons urged continued recruitment of poll workers for the September primary and November general election and described training plans for seasonal staff.