Council flags $50,000 printing line and warns postage could push charter costs above $75,000

Council members and staff reviewed a proposed $50,000 printing-and-binding line intended for a HomeRule charter document and debated additional postage and election costs required to place a measure before voters.

Michelle Gelker pointed to a $50,000 printing-and-binding line in the legislative fund for the HomeRule charter. Staff and council members explained that, under state rules, each registered voter must receive a copy of certain materials and that postage costs are likely the most expensive element: one staff member said, “I have heard someone else told me… that it was gonna be around 75,000,” and another suggested budgeting up to $100,000 for planning purposes.

Council and staff discussed the county’s election contract (staff cited roughly $11,000–$12,000 for a November election) and noted some election-related expenses could fall across two budget years because work (printing, mailing) begins well before the ballot date. Staff also noted registered-voter counts used for planning (about 4,800 registered voters per the county number cited in discussion) will determine postage and distribution costs.

Staff said they will refine printing and postage estimates as the document’s final page count and mailing strategy are set and described options for reducing costs (condensing the packet, using existing city billing vendors who offer bulk discounts). No final decision was made; council asked staff to return with more precise cost estimates and a timeline tied to the local election deadline.