CR 97-181 Conceptual Approval Of Election Equipment PurchasesOctober 2, 1997 Council Report 97 -181
Proposed Action
Staff recommends approval of the following motion: Move to approve the
concept of Hennepin County Election Department purchasing the election
equipment for all the precincts in Hennepin County and leasing the equipment to
the Cities.
By approving the concept the Council is not committing themselves to final
approval or agreement with the final proposal.
Overview
CONCEPTUAL APPROVAL OF THE
PURCHASE OF ELECTION EQUIPMENT BY HENNEPIN COUNTY
Hennepin County Election Department will be going before the board to ask for
preliminary approval of a county wide purchase of election equipment.
The County Election department is proposing to purchase election machines for all
the precincts in the county. There are over 400 precincts in Hennepin County. At
this point the proposal is to purchase the machines with a bond issue. The
machines would in turn be leased to the cities for a nominal amount ($1.00) . The
lease agreement will allow the county to include the condition that all equipment
that is owned by the cities will be deeded over to the county and used as trade -in
material. The cities will be responsible for the maintenance of the machines. The
county will then establish an equipment replacement fund to replace the machines
as needed. Hennepin County will continue to program the machines for elections.
Primary issues to Consider
How will this benefit Hopkins
Terry O ► - m.:ler, City Clerk
Council Report 97 -181
Page 2
Primary Issues to Consider
How will this benefit Hopkins
This will benefit Hopkins in several ways. Our machines are slated for replacement
in 1999. At this time there is $68,000 in the equipment replacement fund
designated to replacing the election machines. This will free up the designated
amount for other purposes.
Because Hennepin County will be purchasing for all the precincts, the cost of each
machine will be lower and they will be able to lower the cost of maintenance
contracts. At this time we pay approximately $3,000 per year for maintenance on
the machines. We expect this amount to be significantly reduced.
Hennepin County will continue to support the cities in the county with
programming of the equipment and supplying all other election support at no
additional charge to the cities.
Alternatives
1. Approve this concept in support of the Hennepin County Election
Department purchasing the election equipment for all precincts in
Hennepin County and leasing the equipment to the Cities.
2. Do not approve the concept of Hennepin County Election Department
purchasing the election equipment for all precincts in Hennepin County
and leasing the equipment to the Cities.
Staff recommends alternative one.