Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution amends the Clerk's Office 2023 operating budget to accept $504,800 in grant funds associated with planning and operationalizing safe and secure election administration infrastructure in the City of Madison. A specific spending plan for the funding is still being developed. The long-term implications of accepting the grant funds, including any future commitments of General Fund support that could arise after the end of the grant period, are not known at this time. The grant also includes $1,004,800 in 2024 funds and would be included in the Clerk's office 2024 budget request.
The 2023 adopted operating budget for the Clerk's Office includes $700,000 for costs associated with administering two (2) elections (Spring Primary and Spring Election). In 2024, the Clerk’s Office will administer four (4) elections, including the 2024 Fall Primary and General Election. Costs will be higher in 2024 to account for the two additional elections. The 2020 adopted operating budget, during the last presidential election, included $2.1m for costs associated with administering elections.
Title
Authorizing the City Clerk's Office to participate in the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence, and to accept a $500,000 grant in 2023 and a $1,000,000 grant in 2024 from the Center for Tech & Civic Life for planning and operationalizing safe and secure election administration infrastructure in City of Madison. Additionally, accepting a $4,800 membership grant in 2023 and again in 2024. Amending the 2023 Adopted Operating Budget to increase the Clerk's Office supplies budget by $500,000 and services budget by $4,800.
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WHEREAS, the City of Madison has been named a finalist to become a 2023 Center for Election Excellence; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence is developing a non-partisan program that will allow the City of Madison to collaborate with other Centers for Election Excellence to develop more resilient, trustworthy, and voter-centric election administration practices; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County, CA; Shasta County, CA; Greenwich, CT; Kane County, IL; Macoupin County, IL; Ottawa County, MI; Clark County, NV; Brunswick County, NC; and Forsyth County, NC, have also been designated as Centers for Election Excellence; and
WHEREAS, the goal of the City Clerk's Office is that each eligible voter will be able to cast a ballot and have that ballot counted; and
WHEREAS, the Center for Tech & Civic Life, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, has decided to award $1,500,000 in grant funding to the City of Madison to support election infrastructure needs; and
WHEREAS, grant funds will not be used to attempt to influence the outcome of any election; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence is offering the City of Madison scholarship funds to fully cover the annual membership dues of $4,800;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Madison accepts membership in the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence and the membership grants of $4,800 for annual dues in both 2023 and 2024; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Madison accepts the grant funding provided to the City as a Center for Election Excellence of $500,000 in 2023 and $1,000,000 in 2024; and
BE FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Mayor, City Attorney, and Clerk's Office are authorized to execute agreements as needed with the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence and the Center for Tech and Civic Life to accept membership and the associated grants.