| TO: | Honorable Todd Smith, Chair, House Committee on Elections |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB337 by Harless (Relating to the costs of holding certain joint elections.), As Introduced |
School districts would experience a savings that would vary by district and conversely, counties would experience an increase in costs and losses associated with the conduct of voting that would also vary among counties. Based on information provided by counties, the amounts would be significant.
As an example, Howard County estimates costs of $1,500 for staffing and revenue losses of $2,400 annually related to lease of machines and administrative fees. For a county of this size and budget, the combined costs and losses are considered significant.
Tom Green County contains six independent school districts (ISD), but only had figures available for two districts. The county would experience an annual revenue loss of $30,922 for the San Angelo ISD and $1,247 for the Miles ISD.
Montgomery County estimates costs of $50,000 in fiscal years 2010 and 2014 and $75,000 in fiscal year 2012. The county contains 10 ISDs. Using 2006 and 2008 dollar amonts for just 2 of the 10 school districts holding November elections, the estimated loss would be $180,000. Currently, 3 of the 10 districts hold elections in November.
Travis County estimates costs/losses of between $325,000 and $700,000 annually for operational costs, assuming two elections per year or if a single ISD held a special election. The county reports that, depending on several variables, local costs for a primary or November election is between $650,000 and $700,000.
Tarrant County, using joint election costs for cities and school districts that participated in the November 4, 2008 general election, estimates significant operational costs/losses at $900,000 in fiscal year 2010 and increasing to as much as $1 million in fiscal year 2014. These estimates assume costs assessed to all governmental entities for a joint contract election, which includes contract labor, election day judges and workers, polling location rent and custodian, supplies for election day kits, ballots, equipment, temporary telephone lines, furniture rental for polling places, postage, personnel for the early voting ballot board, and training materials. There are 12 ISDs in Tarrant County.
Dallas county contracts to administer the elections for 15 school districts. The county estimates that costs could increase, depending on how many districts would participate in a joint election, from $250,000 to $500,000. The county would also experience increased costs associated with a loss in cost-sharing, as well as a loss in revenue from renting equipment to school districts.Harris County reports that the loss of revenue as a result of implementing provisions of the bill would be approximately $500,000 in even-numbered years from school districts no longer having to pay a pro rata share of the costs for conducting a jointly scheduled election.
| Source Agencies: |
| LBB Staff: | JOB, TP, DB
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