Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Blue Earth County for the shared cost of election expenses relating to technology and equipment. 

Adoption of the attached resolution.

The attached agreement will implement changes to the billing process for election services related to technology and equipment. The billing will occur annually so that the city's budget (and the county's budget) can be more predictable and stable when it comes to election expenses. The agreement explains the new process to calculate and collect the shared costs of expenses. Changes have also been made to the calculation and the allocation of costs. It is important to note that there are sections within the agreement that are already covered under the city's existing stand-alone agreement with the County for Election Services. Since the new agreement will not apply to the City of Mankato for those sections, as a housekeeping item, it is requested that the agreement be modified accordingly prior to being signed. 

The attached document "Examples/Estimates" illustrates the estimated costs for election expenses going forward. The changes for the city are in relation to the contribution towards election technology and equipment, due to the fact that the county has not increased the rate since at least 2015 and the costs to run a secure election continue to increase.

The County's plan is to implement the changes in 2025, to allow for budgeting processes; thus, in 2025, the city will receive a bill under the old/existing formula as well as an estimate for the following year's technology and equipment costs for budget purposes. There will be no billing for 2025 unless there is a special election. In early 2026, the city will receive the actual invoice for the new technology/equipment costs. This process will continue from 2027 onwards.