Clerk flags IT and background-check cost increases as committee reviews elections budget

The clerk presented the combined clerk, executive assistant and elections budgets and said overall increases were limited, but several contract and data-processing costs have pushed the numbers higher. The city has a new website provider and new minutes/agenda-preparation software; the clerk said those contracts and increased Microsoft licensing (noted at roughly $1,200 per month) are the main contributors to a higher data-processing line.

On elections, the clerk said staffing appears adequate but that background-check costs have risen because the city is doing more thorough caregiver checks and running more checks overall. "I have fantastic election workers," the clerk said; committee members moved to recommend the clerk and elections budgets to council, and the motion passed on roll call.