Title
Consider approving Resolution No. 2026-087, approving, reaffirming, and ratifying payment of costs to Dallas County for conducting and administering the City's runoff election held June 13, 2026, in the amount of $135,050, authorizing the City Manager to provide payment; and take appropriate action.
Body
REQUESTOR:
Administrative Services Department
BACKGROUND:
The City of Farmers Branch partners with the Dallas County Elections Department to administer general, special, and runoff elections. Through this partnership, the County provides essential election services and resources, including voting equipment, election workers, ballot preparation, tabulation equipment, required training for election workers, and required signage. By utilizing the County's established election infrastructure, the City promotes transparency, achieves cost efficiencies, and ensures compliance with Texas Election Law and other applicable state regulations governing election administration.
On January 20, 2026, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 3986 calling a general election for the offices of Mayor and District 2 Councilmember, to be held on May 2, 2026. Due to no candidate in the Mayoral race receiving more than 50% of the votes, a runoff election must be held. The runoff election will be held on June 13, 2026.
The estimated cost to conduct the runoff election is $135,050.93. This higher cost is based on the number of registered voters for the entire city, which totals 21,138 at a cost of $5.81 per voter.
DISCUSSION:
Approval of Resolution No. 2026-087 will reaffirm the City's approval of the election services agreement and the costs associated with holding the runoff election.
The higher cost of this election is due, in part, to only seven entities participating in the runoff. By comparison, a typical May general election generally includes approximately 35 to 40 participating entities, allowing costs to be shared among more jurisdictions. Additionally, this ele...
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