DEPARTMENT: Elections
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization For Cost Share Of Voting Equipment And Replacement Timeline And Amend the 2025 Elections and Non-Departmental Budgets
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Dakota County’s voting equipment is quickly becoming outdated; and
WHEREAS, upgrading to the next generation of voting equipment is critical to ensure trust in the electoral process, compliance with regulations, ease of use, and accessibility for all voters; and
WHEREAS, the County’s voting equipment was deployed in 2015 and ballot tabulators have been successfully used in over 40 elections and are rapidly approaching the end of their life; and
WHEREAS, Rigorous testing requirements demand that each ballot is scanned multiple times to check for accuracy and reliability, both in preliminary and public accuracy testing; and
WHEREAS, the number of eligible voters in our county has increased over 10 percent since that time and rigorous testing requirements demand heavy usage; and
WHEREAS, an investment in new, state-of-the-art voting equipment is warranted; and
WHEREAS, new equipment will enhance security, improve accessibility, increase efficiency and voter trust, support scalability, and increase reliability; and
WHEREAS, cost-share agreements with municipal partners will ensure that all entities using the equipment pay a portion of the costs; and
WHEREAS, a transparent, collaborative RFP process may be conducted; and
WHEREAS, new equipment may be deployed and implemented in a manner that ensure successful training and use before the next scheduled State election.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby adopts the proposed cost-share of 65 percent of costs to be borne by the County, 30 percent borne by cities and townships, and 5 percent to be borne by school districts; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby directs the Elections Department to move forward with executing cost-share agreements subject to approval as to form by the County Attorney and hereby directs the Elections Department to initiate procurement of new voting equipment in anticipation of first utilizing the equipment at the August 11, 2026 State Primary Election; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby amends the 2025 Elections budget as follows; and
Revenue
Levy $5,000,000
Total Revenue $5,000,000
Expense
Capital Expenditure $4,950,000
Training $ 50,000
Expense Total $5,000,000
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby amends the 2025 Non-Departmental budget as follows:
Revenue
Levy ($5,000,000)
Interest on Investments $5,000,000
Total Revenue $0
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