TITLE
Consider an ordinance appointing presiding and alternate election judges; precinct number change; and increase in election worker hourly pay.
SUMMARY
AGENDA ITEM
Appointment of Presiding and Alternate Election Judges; Precinct Number Change; and Increase in Election Worker Hourly Pay
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT
City Secretary/City Attorney
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Section 32.001 of the Election Code requires the City Council to appoint presiding and alternate judges for each of the polling locations used on Election Day. Ordinance No. 14-005 calling for a General Election in May 2014 was passed January 28, 2014.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION
The adoption of an ordinance calling a general election is mandated by state law between January 27th and February 11th. At the time Ordinance No. 14-005 was adopted a complete list of election judges and their alternates was not available. This amendment names the election judges and their alternates.
The City Secretary's office has polled surrounding cities regarding how much they pay their election workers per hour and has determined that the City of Killeen is not competitive in their pay to election workers. In order to recruit eligible clerks and to keep competitive with surrounding cities, the hourly rate should be increased to $10.00 per hour.
The Bell County Election Division has combined their precinct 401 and our precinct 407 and renamed that entire area Precinct 401. This change does not affect the boundary lines for the City of Killeen, but in order to keep current with Bell County, Killeen's precinct 407 needs to be changed to Precinct 401.
FISCAL IMPACT
The average cost to conduct an election is $50,000.00, and $50,000.00 has been budgeted in Account No. 010-1010-416.50-45. The joint election agreement between the City and KISD provides that KISD will pay half of election costs.
RECOMMENDATION
That the proposed amendment ordinance be adopted.