Local consultant offers to buy Old City Hall; residents press council on poll pad costs and election security

At the start of the Feb. 18 meeting, resident and business owner Andy Shrader told the council he and his partner would like to enter discussions to buy the Old City Hall and return the property to the tax rolls. "Please consider this an offer to enter into discussions about the sale of that building," Shrader said, describing his firms' local building‑code and community‑development businesses and noting they have operated in St. Francis for about six years.

Later in the public comment period, a resident who identified himself as Ain Gran and as a member of ASET presented a slide comparison of electronic 'poll pad' voter rosters versus paper rosters. He cited multi‑year costs for electronic systems, recurring licensing and data plan fees, and uncertainty about third‑party cloud and device security. "We don't always know what [security measures] are," he said, arguing that paper rosters avoid a "black box" perception and that the community should prioritize election integrity.

Council members thanked both speakers and said they would consider the offers for further discussion. Staff and council noted the county currently uses licensed agreements for electronic rosters in some jurisdictions and that the city could raise the issue with county partners if desired.

What happens next: Shrader said he is available for follow‑up questions; council members suggested the matter of Old City Hall could be considered in future discussions. Staff did not make any motion on the polling technology subject at the meeting.