MANKATO — Despite steadily rising costs, the city of Mankato will continue to rely on Blue Earth County to run elections across the city.
As they’ve done since 2006, county staff will administer elections, including managing and staffing election judges at polling places in Mankato for the next four years.
“From the county’s perspective, it works really well,” said Michael Stalberger, who oversees elections as director of the county Property and Environmental Resources Department. “We’re really happy with the partnership.”
A staff memo to the City Council recommended the renewal of a new contract with the county, something the council approved unanimously a week ago.
“By having elections conducted by the County it provides consistency with process and convenience for citizens in election years, reduces polling places and duplication of equipment and service,” the memo stated. “The partnership between the city of Mankato and Blue Earth County is an example of working collaboratively with other jurisdictions to streamline service delivery.”
The approval came even though the annual fee paid by the city will rise to $140,000 for the voting services provided throughout the 2024 presidential election year — twice what was charged in 2020. The previous four-year contract carried annual fees for Mankato of $70,000 in 2020, $80,000 in 2021, $95,000 in 2022 and $105,000 in 2023.
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