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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 012814-G - General ElectionRESOLUTION NO. �lla A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, ORDERING A GENERAL ELECTION FOR ELECTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR COUNCIL DISTRICTS 2 AND 6 TO BE HELD ON MAY 10, 2014, ORDERING A RUN -OFF ELECTION, IF NECESSARY, AND ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR SAID ELECTIONS. WHEREAS, the City Council is composed of a Mayor and seven Council Members per Article II of the City Charter and WHEREAS, the Mayor is elected at large and the Council members are elected from single- member districts and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council members serve three year terms WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council members are composed of the following individuals with terms as delineated as follows: OFFICE DATE THAT TERM EXPIRES MAYOR GARVER MAY 2014 DISTRICT 1 COUNCIL MEMBER EASON MAY 2015 DISTRICT 2 COUNCIL MEMBER BRAINARD DISTRICT 3 COUNCIL MEMBER HESSER DISTRICT 4 COUNCIL MEMBER FOUGHT DISTRICT 5 COUNCIL MEMBER HAMMERLUN DISTRICT 6 COUNCIL MEMBER JONROWE DISTRICT 7 COUNCIL MEMBER GONZALEZ MAY 2014 MAY 2016 MAY 2016 MAY 2015 MAY 2014 MAY 2016 WHEREAS, the laws of the State of Texas and the Charter of the City of Georgetown, Texas provide that on Saturday, May 10, 2014, there shall be a General Election at which shall be elected the following officials for this City: The Mayor and Two (2) Members of the Georgetown City Council: Councilmembers from each of Districts 2 and 6; and WHEREAS, the laws of the State of Texas and the Charter of the City of Georgetown, Texas further provide that the Election Code of the State of Texas is applicable to said election, and in order to comply with said Code, a Resolution should be passed establishing the procedure to be followed in said election and designating the voting places for said election. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND ORDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS THAT: SECTION 1. VERIFICATION OF FACTS The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this resolution are hereby found and declared to be true and correct, and are incorporated by reference herein and expressly made a part hereof, as if copied verbatim. SECTION 2. CANDIDATES This general election shall be held to elect the Mayor and Council members for City of Georgetown Single - Member Districts 2 and 6. The boundaries for Single- Member Districts 2 and 6 have been updated to include newly annexed lands. Maps showing the updated boundaries are attached hereto as Exhibits "A" and "B". An updated map of the entire area within the city limits (showing the boundaries of all of the council districts) is attached hereto as Exhibit "C ". These maps are hereby adopted as the Official Council District Maps and shall determine the qualification of the candidates to serve and shall govern the qualification of the voters to vote in said election. SECTION 3. CANDIDATE APPLICATION DEADLINE AND ORDER OF NAMES ON BALLOT All candidates for the election to be held on the second Saturday in May, 2014, for the Mayor and Council members for Districts 2 and 6 shall file their applications with the City Secretary at the City Hall, 113 E. Bch Street, Georgetown, Texas, on or before 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2014. The order in which the names of the candidates are to be printed on the ballot shall be determined by a drawing held by the City Secretary on Friday, March 7, 2014, at 4:00 p.m. in the Main Floor Foyer at City Hall, 113 E. 81h Street, Georgetown, Texas. SECTION 4. POSSIBLE RUN -OFF ELECTION As provided in the City Charter, in the event that no candidate can be declared the winner in any or all of the individual races to be conducted in the General Election, a runoff election shall be held not earlier than 20 days nor later than 45 days after the date of the Final Canvass of the May 10, 2014 Election. If necessary, the Run -Off Election is scheduled on June 21, 2014. In such Runoff Election, the two candidates who received, in the preceding election, the highest number of votes for each office to which no one was elected, shall be voted on again, and the candidate who receives the majority of the votes cast for each such office in the Runoff Election shall be elected to such office. SECTION 5. OPTICAL SCAN BALLOTS Voting shall be conducted with optical scan ballots prepared in conformity with the Texas Election Code, and there shall be at least one disabled- access voting device, such as a Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) machine at each polling place. SECTION 6. CONDUCT OF ELECTION Pursuant to Subchapter D of Chapter 31 of the Texas Election Code, the City Council is further ordering that this General Election and possible Runoff Election be conducted under the terms and conditions of a Joint Election Agreement and Contract for Election Services ( "Joint Election Agreement ") between the City of Georgetown and Williamson County, the form of which is attached to this Resolution and labeled as Exhibit "D ". Chapter 31, Subchapter D of the Texas Election Code provides that a city may contract with the County Elections Officer for election services if the city is located in whole or in part in the county. In addition, this will be a joint election conducted with other entities that will also hold an election on May 10, 2014 pursuant to the Joint Election Agreement. As authorized by Chapter 31, Subchapter D of the Texas Election Code, the Georgetown City Council hereby appoints the Williamson County Elections Administrator, Jason M. Barnett, 301 Inner Loop, Suite 104, Georgetown, Texas 78626, as the election officer for the purpose of conducting the May 10, 2014 General Election. This appointment includes services as Early Voting Clerk for the Election, Counting Station Manager, Presiding Judge of the Central Counting Station, Alternate Judge and Tabulation Supervisor. In addition and in accordance with Chapter 66 and Chapter 31 of the Texas Election Code, the City Council hereby appoints Williamson County Elections Administrator, Jason M. Barnett, as agent for the Custodian of Records ( "Agent ") for the May 10, 2014 General Election for the purpose of preserving voted ballots and other election records as required by the Texas Election Code. SECTION 7. EARLY VOTING Early Voting by Personal Appearance shall take place at the locations and times delineated by the Williamson County Election Administrator per the Joint Election Agreement beginning on the 12th day preceding the date of the election, which is Monday, April 28, 2014, and ending on the fourth day before Election Day, which is Tuesday, May 6, 2014. In the event of a Runoff Election, Early Voting by Personal Appearance shall take place at the locations and times delineated by the Williamson County Elections Administrator per the Joint Election Agreement. If the Elections Administrator plans to change any of the polling locations or the dates and times, he shall timely notify the City of Georgetown so that the appropriate Justice Department Submission can be made by the City Attorney and the City Council can be made aware thereof and be given the opportunity to comment thereon. SECTION 8. ELECTION DAY VOTING Election Day Voting shall take place from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the locations delineated by the Williamson County Election Administrator per the Joint Election Agreement. If the Elections Administrator plans to change any of the polling locations or the times, he shall timely notify the City of Georgetown so that the appropriate Justice Department Submission can be made by the City Attorney and the City Council can be made aware thereof and be given the opportunity to comment thereon. In the event of a Runoff Election, the Georgetown Election Day voting locations will be as delineated by the Williamson County Elections Administrator per the Joint Election Agreement. If the Elections Administrator plans to change any of the polling locations or times, he shall timely notify the City of Georgetown so that the appropriate Justice Department Submission can be made by the City Attorney and the City Council can be made aware thereof and be given the opportunity to comment thereon. SECTION 9. ELECTION INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED IN SPANISH The Mayor and all other election officers appointed by the City Council as being responsible for the preparation of notices, instructions, orders, ballots, and other written material pertaining to the General Election shall cause each such document to be translated into and furnished to voters in both the English language and the Spanish language in order to aid and assist voters speaking Spanish as a primary or an alternative language to properly participate in the election process. In addition, the Mayor and other responsible election officers are hereby authorized and directed to make available to the voters having the need of an individual capable of acting as a translator and speaking both English and Spanish languages who will assist Spanish speaking voters in understanding and participating in the election process. SECTION 10. CANVASSING OF RETURNS; DECLARING RESULTS The Williamson County Elections Administrator, as Georgetown's designated election officer, shall provide the written return of the Election results to the City of Georgetown in accordance with the Texas Election Code. The City Council shall canvass the returns on a date and time set by the Mayor between the dates of May 13, 2014 and May 21, 2014 and declare the results of the General Election in accordance with the Texas Election Code Section 67.003(b), which provides that for elections held on the uniform election date in May, the following provisions apply: For an election held on the uniform election date in May, the local canvass must occur not later than the 11th day after Election Day and not earlier than: (1) the third day after election day; (2) the date on which the early voting ballot board has verified and counted all provisional ballots, if a provisional ballot has been cast in the election; or (3) the date on which all timely received ballots cast from addresses outside of the United States are counted, if a ballot to be voted by mail in the election was provided to a person outside of the United States. � � r SECTION 11. NOTICE OF ELECTION Notice of the General Election shall be published at least one time in the English and Spanish languages, in a newspaper published within Georgetown's territory at least 10 days and no more than 30 days before the General Election and as otherwise may be required by the Texas Election Code. Notice of the General Election shall also be posted on the bulletin board used by the City Council to post notices of its City Council meetings no later than the 21s' day before the General Election. SECTION 12. AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE The Mayor of the City of Georgetown is authorized to execute and the City Secretary is authorized to attest to the Order on behalf of the City Council; and the Mayor is further authorized to do all other things legal and necessary in connection with the holding and consummation of the General Election which includes the giving of and the publication of the Notice of Election to be in a form as to be approved by the City Attorney. SECTION 13. PREAMBLE TRUE AND CORRECT The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this resolution are hereby found to be true and correct, and are incorporated by reference herein and made a part hereof, as if copied verbatim. SECTION 14. EFFECTIVE DATE This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its approval. PASSED AND APPROVED this 28 day of January, 2014 by the City Council of the City of Georgetown. THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN By: George G. Garver, Mayor APPROVED TQ FORM: ridget Chapa, City Attorney Attest: Jes ca Brettle, City Secretary t Exhibit List: Exhibit A Boundaries of Council District 2 Exhibit B Boundaries of Council District 6 Exhibit C Boundaries of all Council Districts (Mayoral Election) Exhibit D Joint Election Agreement and Contract for Election Services Sr Z E a) := V,111-i C* DR (D U) 0) Ld ES TAN 0' U) U) low OOUi-O%AJ RD a) .> CL 0 OZ., 4* c VO Rt -4-W po 5: U 0 0 Q SD CIS Sr E a) := DR (D U) 0) Ld ES TAN 0' U) U) low OOUi-O%AJ RD a) .> CL 0 OZ., 4* c VO Rt -4-W po 5: U 0 0 Q SD E a) := (D U) 0) ca Cj 0 't m co r— U) U) a) .> CL 0 .0 W Lu 5: U 0 0 Q SD COUNTY THE STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF WILLIAMSON JOINT ELECTION AGREEMENT AND CONTRACT FOR ELECTION SERVICES THIS Joint Election Agreement and Contract for Election Services ("Contract") is mode by and between the Williamson County Elections Administrator ("Elections Administrator") and the following political subdivisions ("Participating Authority" or "Participating Audhohdes^) located entirely or partially inside the boundaries ofWilliamson List toboprovided and updated when available This Contract is made pursuant to Texas Election Code Sections 31.092 and 271.002 and Texas Education Code Section 11.0581 for a joint election to be held on the uniform election date of May 10, 2014, and administered by Jason M. Barnett, Williamson County Elections Administrator. This Contract supersedes any and all prior contracts and agreements to conduct joint elections between a Participating Authority and the Williamson County Elections Office. RECITAL WHEREAS, each Participating Authority listed above plans to hold a Uniform Election on May 1O.2014. VVHEREAS, Williamson County owns an electronic voting system. the Baodon System and Software (EG&S) iVotronic/M 1 OO/M650 Voting System (Version 3. 0. 1. 1), which has been duly approved by the Secretary of State pursuant to Texas Election Code Chapter 122 as amended, and is compliant with the accessibility requirements for persons with disabilities set forth by Texas Election Code Section 61.012. The Participating Authorities desire to use Williamson County's electronic voting system, to compensate Williamson County for such use, and to share in certain other expenses connected with joint elections, in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapters 31 and 271 of the Texas Election Code, ao amended, and NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual oovenanty, agneemento, and benefits to the parties, IT IS AGREED, as follows: ADMINISTRATION The Participating Authorities agree to hold a "Joint Election" with Williamson County, if applicable, and each other in accordance with Chapter 271 of the Texas Election Code and this Contract. The Elections Administrator shall noordinato, ouperviee, and handle all aspects of administering the Joint Election as provided in this Contract. Each Participating Authority ogneaa to pay the Elections Administrator for equipment, pnognamm\ng, election peroonna|, oupp|ieo, semioee, and administrative costs as provided in this Contract. The Elections Administrator shall serve as the Election Officer for the Joint Election; however. each Participating Authority shall remain responsible for the decisions and actions of its officers necessary for the |ovfu| conduct of its election. The Elections Administrator shall provide advisory services in connection with decisions to be made and actions to be taken by the officers of each Participating Authority as It is understood that other political subdivisions and districts may wish to participate in the use of Williamson County's electronic voting system and polling places, and dis agreed that the Elections Administrator may enter into other contracts for election services for those purpoaea, on banno and conditions generally similar bu those set forth in this Contract. In such cases, costs shall be pro-rated among the participants according to Section XI of this Contract. Rev 01.14.2014 At each polling location, joint participants shall share voting equipment and supplies to the extent possible. The participating parties shall share a mutual ballot inthose polling places where jurisdictions overlap. However, innoinstance shall a voter be permitted to receive a ballot containing an office or proposition obsbnA a measure onwhich the voter }o ineligible tovote. Multiple ballot styles shall be available in those shared polling places where jurisdictions do not overlap. ||' LEGAL DOCUMENTS Each Participating Authority shall be responsible for the prepaodiun, odoptinn, and publication of all required election orders, neaolutione, ncdicon, and any other pertinent documents required by the Texas Election Code and/or the Participating Authority's governing body, charter, or ondinanoam, except that the Elections Administrator shall be responsible for the preparation and publication of all voting equipment testing notices that are required by the Texas Election Code. Election orders should include language that would not necessitate amending the order if any of the Early Voting and/or Election Day polling places change. Preparation of the necessary motoho\a for notices and the official ballot shall be the responsibility of each Participating Authohty, including providing the bax1 in English and Spanish. Each Participating Authority oheU provide a copy of their respective election orders and notices to the Elections Administrator. Ill. VOTING LOCATIONS The Elections Administrator shall select and arrange for the use of and payment for all Election Day voting locations. Voting locations nhoU be compliant with the accessibility requirements established by Election Code Section 43.034 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (4OA)The proposed Election Day voting locations are listed in Attachment A of this Contract and may be amended. In the event a voting location is not available or appropriate, the Elections Administrator will arrange for use of an alternate location. The Elections Administrator shall notify the Participating Authorities of any changes from the locations listed in Attachment A. If polling places for the May 10. 2014 joint election are different from the polling place(s) used by Participating Authority in its most recent election, the authority agrees to post a notice no later than May 1O.2O14cd the entrance ho any previous polling p|aume in the jurisdiction stating that the polling location has changed and otsbnQ the Participating Authority polling place names and addresses in effect for the May 10. 2014 election. This ncdioo shall be written in both the English and Spanish languages. IV. ELECTION JUDGES, CLERKS, AND OTHER ELECTION PERSONNEL The Elections Administrator will recruit and appoint all election workers. The Elections Administrator will take the necessary steps ho insure that all election judges appointed for the Joint Election are eligible to serve and meet the eligibility requirements in Subchapter C of Chapter 32 of the Texas Election Code and any requirements to serve as an Election Worker set forth by the Williamson County Commissioners Count. The Elections Administrator shall arrange for the training and compensation of all election judges, derka, and election personnel. The Elections Administrator shall arrange for the date, dme, and place for the presiding election judges to pick up their election supplies. As set forth in Sec. 32.009 of the Texas Election Code, each presiding election judge and m|b*rnaba presiding judge mhm|| be given written notice of the appointment. The notice from the Elections Administrator will include the time and location of training and distribution of election supplies and the number of election clerks the presiding judge may appoint. Each election judge and clerk will receive compensation at the hourly rote established by Williamson County pursuant to Texas Election Code Section 32.091. The election judge, or his designee, will receive an additional sum of Rov. 0114.2014 $25.00 for picking up the election supplies prior to Election Day and for returning the supplies and equipment to the central counting station after the polls close. The compensation rates established by Williamson County are: Early Voting — Early Voting Supervisor ($12 an hour), Clerks ($10 an hour) Early Voting — EV Mobile Team: Supervisor ($14 an hour), Clerks ($12 an hour) Election Day — Presiding Judge ($12 an hour), Alternate Judge ($10 an hour), Clerk ($10 an hour) Election judges and clerks who attend voting equipment and procedures training shall be compensated at the hourly rates listed above. Election poll workers will be paid the flat fee of $25.00 for 100% completion of the online poll worker training. The Elections Administrator may employ other personnel necessary for the proper administration of the election, including such part-time help as is necessary to prepare for the election, to ensure the timely delivery of supplies during early voting and on Election Day for the efficient tabulation of ballots at the central counting station, and for the post- election processes conducted by warehouse personnel. Part-time personnel working in support of the Early Voting Ballot Board and /or central counting station on election night will be compensated at the hourly rate set by Williamson County in accordance with Election Code Sections 87.005, 127.004, and 127.006. In accordance with Sec. 31.098 of the Texas Election Code, the Elections Administrator is authorized to contract with third persons for election services and supplies. The actual cost of such third - person services and supplies will be paid by the Elections Administrator and reimbursed by the Participating Authorities. V. PREPARATION OF SUPPLIES AND VOTING EQUIPMENT The Elections Administrator shall arrange for all election supplies and voting equipment including, but not limited to, Williamson County's electronic voting system and equipment, official ballots, sample ballots, voter registration lists, and all forms, signs, maps and other materials used by the election judges at the voting locations. The Elections Administrator shall ensure availability of tables and chairs at each polling place and shall procure rented tables and chairs for those polling places that do not have a sufficient number of tables and /or chairs. The Elections Administrator shall be responsible for conducting all required testing of the electronic equipment, as required by Chapters 127 and 129 of the Texas Election Code. At each polling location, joint participants shall share voting equipment and supplies to the extent possible. A single ballot containing all the offices or propositions stating measures to be voted on at a particular polling place may be used in a joint election. A voter may not be permitted to select a ballot containing an office or proposition stating a measure on which the voter is ineligible to vote.'Multiple ballot styles shall be available in those shared polling places where jurisdictions do not overlap. The Elections Administrator shall provide the necessary voter registration information, maps, instructions, and other information needed to enable the election judges in the voting locations that have more than one ballot style to conduct a proper election. Each Participating Authority shall furnish the Elections Administrator a list of candidates and /or propositions showing the order and the exact manner in which the candidate names and /or proposition(s) are to appear on the official ballot (including titles of offices and text in both English and Spanish languages). The Participating Authorities are required to submit information in a format or template provided by the Election Administrator. Each Participating Authority shall be responsible for proofreading and approving the ballot insofar as it pertains to that authority's candidates and /or propositions. Each Participating Authority shall be responsible for proofing and approving the audio recording of the ballot insofar as it pertains to that authority's candidates and /or propositions. Early Voting by Personal Appearance and /or the use of Vote Centers, Texas Election Code Section 43.007, on Election Day shall be conducted exclusively on Williamson County's iVotronic electronic voting system. Provisional ballots cast on Election Day will be cast only on paper ballots. Rev. 01.14.2014 The Elections Administrator shall be responsible for the prognamming, preparoUon, teoting, and delivery of the voting system equipment for the election os required by the Election Code. The Elections Administrator shall conduct criminal background checks on the relevant employees upon hiring as required by Election Code 12Q.D51(g). VI. EARLY VOTING The Participating Authorities agree to conduct joint early voting and to appoint the Election Administrator as the Early Voting Clerk in accordance with Sections 31D97 and 271.006 of the Texas Election Code. Each Participating Authority agrees to appoint the Elections Administrator's permanent county employees as deputy early voting clerks. The Participating Authorities further agree that the Elections Administrator may appoint other deputy early voting clerks to assist in the conduct of early voting an neoeoaary, and that these additional deputy early voting clerks ehoU be compensated at an hourly rnb* set by Williamson County pursuant to Section 83.052 of the Texas Election Coda. Deputy early voting clerks who are permanent employees of the Williamson County Elections Administrator may be paid from the election services contract fund for contractual duties performed outside of normal business hours (Soc. 31.1 00(e), Texas Election Code). Early Voting by personal appearance will be held at the locations, dates, and times listed in Attachment B of this document and may be amended. In the event voting location is not available or appropriate, the Elections Administrator will arrange for use of an alternate location. The Elections Administrator ohoU notify the Participating Authorities of any changes from the locations listed in Attachment B. Any qualified voter of the Joint Election may vote early bypersonal appearance ot any one of the joint early voting locations. As Early Voting Clerk, the Elections Administrator shall receive applications for early voting ballots to be voted by mail in accordance with Chapters 31 and 86 of the Texas Election Code. Any requests for early voting ballots to be voted by mail received by the Participating Authorities shall be forwarded immediately by fax or courier to the Elections Administrator for processing. The address ofthe Early Voting Clerk iaeafollows: Jason M. Barnett, Early Voting Clerk Williamson County Elections PO Box 2OQ Georgetown, TX 78627 The Elections Administrator shall post on the Williamson County Elections webpage. the early voting turnout by early voting polling location by day and u cumulative fimd early voting turnout report following the close of early voting. The daily report will show the previous day's early voting activity and will be posted to the Williamson County Elections webpageno later than 1O:0Oa.m. each business day. VII. EARLY VOTING BALLOT BOARD Williamson County shall appoint an Early Voting Ballot Board (EV8B) to process early voting results from the Joint Election. The Presiding Judgo, with the assistance of the Elections Adminietredor, shall appoint two or more additional members to constitute the EV8B. The Elections Administrator shall determine the number ofEV88 members required ho efficiently process the early voting ballots. VN. CENTRAL COUNTING STATION AND ELECTION RETURNS The Elections Administrator shall be responsible for establishing and operating the central counting station to receive and tabulate the voted ballots in accordance with the provisions of the Texas Election Code and of this Contract. Rev. 01.14.2014 The Participating Authorities hereby, in accordance with Section 127.002' 127.003. and 127.805 of the Texas Election Code, appoint the following central counting station officials: Counting Station Manager: Jason K8. Barnett, Williamson County Elections Administrator Tabulation Supervisor: CandiZaccheus. Williamson County B|SAnalyst Presiding Judge: Kay Eaabae. Williamson County Deputy Elections Administrator Alternate Judge: Julie Seippel, Williamson County Voter Registration Supervisor The Counting Station Manager or his representative shall deliver timely cumulative reports of the election results as precincts report hothe oendny| counting station and are tabulated. The Counting Station Manager shall be responsible for releasing unofficial cumulative totals and precinct returns from the election to the joint parUciponts, candidotes, pnaoo, and general public by distribution of hard copies at the central counting station and by posting to the Williamson County Elections Dffioewmbpage. To ensure the accuracy ofreported election returno, results printed on the tapes produced by VVU|iamonn County's voting equipment will not be released to the Participating Authorities at any individual polling The Elections Administrator will prepare the unofficial canvass reports that are necessary for compliance with Election Coda Section 67.804. after all precincts have been counted and will deliver a copy of the unofficial canvass to each Participating Authority ao soon as possible after all returns have been tabulated. Each Participating Authority shall be responsible for the official canvass of its respective e|ection(a), and shall notify the Elections Adminiotrebor, or his designee, of the date of the canvass, no later than three days after Election Day. The Elections Administrator will prepare the electronic precinct-by-precinct results reports for uploading hu the Secretary of State as required by Section 67.017 of the Election Code. Each Participating Authority agrees to upload these reports unless requested otherwise. The Elections Administrator shall be responsible for conducting the post-election manual recount required by Section 127.201 of the Texas Election Code unless a waiver is granted by the Secretary of State. Notification and copies of the recount, if waiver is denied, will be provided to each Participating Authority and the Secretary of State's Office. |X. PARTICIPATING AUTHORITIES WITH TERRITORY oUTS\DEVV|LL|Ak8GON COUNTY Williamson County Elections will consider conducting elections in territories outside of Williamson County on a case-by-case basis. X. RUNOFF ELECTIONS Each Participating Authority shall have the option of extending the terms of this Contract through its runoff election, ifapplicable. In the event of such runoff election, the terms of this Contract shall automatically extend unless the Participating Authority notifies the Elections Administrator in writing within 3 business days of the original election. Each Participating Authority ohoU reserve the right to reduce the number of early voting locations and/or Election Day voting locations ina runoff election. If necessary, any voting changes made by a Participating Authority between the original election and the runoff election shall be submitted by the authority making the change to the United States Department of Justice for the preclearance required by the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended. Each Participating Authority agrees to order any runoff electio(s) at its meeting for canvassing the votes from the May 10, 2014 election and to conduct its drawing for ballot positions at or immediately following such meeting in order to expedite preparations for its runoff election. Each Participating Authority eligible to hold runoff elections after the May 1O.2O14 Uniform Election Date agrees that the date of the runoff election, if necessary, shall be 8aturday. June 21. 2014, with early voting being held in accordance with the Election Code. Rev. 01.14.2014 XI. ELECTION EXPENSES AND ALLOCATION OF COSTS Charges. In consideration for the joint election services provided hereunder by the Elections Administrator, the Participating Authorities will be charged a share of election costs, an administrative fee, and for the lease of voting equipment. 1. Share of Election Costs. Each Participating Authority's share of election costs will be (i) a base fee of $1,000.00, (ii) plus a pro rata share of the total of all costs incurred by the Elections Administrator in connection with the administration of elections of other entities held at the same time as the election. The sum of the base charges from all Participating Authorities will be subtracted from the total of all costs before allocating the remaining costs to each Participating Authority. Each Participating Authority's share of the remaining (allocated) costs will be determined as follows: The number of registered voters in each individual Participating Authority will be divided by the number of all registered of all Participating Authorities to determine each entity's pro rata share expressed as a percentage, which will then be multiplied against each of the allocated costs (remaining costs after base charges are subtracted) as itemized on the final Total Cost report/invoice submitted to each Participating Authority after the election. The end result will be a charge to the Participating Authority of $1,000.00 plus the Participating Authority's allocated share of county -wide election costs not covered by the sum of all base fees received. 2. Lease of Voting Equipment. Per Texas Election Code Section 123.032(d), the Williamson County Commissioners Court has established the following prices for leasing county -owned voting equipment: • $309.50 per ADA iVotronic DRE; $250.00 per iVotronic DRE; $85.00 per iVotronic printer; $274.43 per electronic pollbook; and $475.00 per M100 precinct ballot counter (Election Day only). The Participating Authority's share of voting equipment costs will be determined on a pro rata basis. Leasing cost will be calculated once for the Early Voting period and once for Election Day. If the County acquires additional equipment, different voting equipment, or upgrades existing equipment during the term of this Contract, the charge for the use of the equipment may be reset by the Williamson County Commissioners Court. 3. Administrative Fee. Each Participating Authority agrees to pay the Williamson County Elections Administrator an administrative fee equal to ten percent (10 %) of its total billable costs in accordance with Section 31.100(d) of the Texas Election Code. The Elections Administrator shall deposit all funds payable under this Contract into the appropriate fund(s) within the Williamson County treasury in accordance with Election Code Section 31.100. XII. WITHDRAWAL FROM CONTRACT DUE TO CANCELLATION OF ELECTION Any Participating Authority may withdraw from this Contract and the Joint Election should it cancel its election in accordance with Sections 2.051 - 2.053 of the Texas Election Code. XIII. RECORDS OF THE ELECTION The Elections Administrator is hereby appointed general custodian of the voted ballots and all records of the Joint Election as authorized by Section 271.010 of the Texas Election Code. Rev. 01.14.2014 Access to the election records shall be available to each Participating Authority as well as to the public in ocoundonoe with applicable provisions of the Texas Election Code and the Texas Public Information Act. The election records ahm|| be stored at the offices of the Elections Administrator or at an alternate facility used for storage of County records. The Elections Administrator shall ensure that the records are maintained in an orderly manner so that the records are clearly identifiable and retrievable. Records of the election ahoU be retained and disposed of in accordance with the provisions of Section 88.058 of the Texas Election Code. If records of the election are involved in any pending election contest, investigation, litigation, or open records request, the Elections Administrator eheU maintain the records until final resolution or until final judgment, whichever is applicable. It is the responsibility of each Participating Authority to bring to the attention of the Elections Administrator any notice of pending election contest, invaodgaUon. litigation or open records request which may be filed with the Participating Authority. X0JRECQUNTS{3R CONTESTED ELECTION A recount may be obtained as provided by Title 13of the Texas Election Code. 8y signing this document, the presiding officer of the contracting Participating Authority ognaeo that any recount shall take place at the offices of the Elections Administrator or at location of his choosing, and that the Elections Administrator shall serve as Recount Supervisor and the Participating Authority's official or employee who performs the duties of a secretary under the Texas Election Code shall serve as Recount Coordinator. In the event of a contested election, the expenses of a new election ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction or Participating Authority will be paid for and by the Participating Authority in oocondenoa with Texas Election Coda 221.014 The Elections Administrator agrees hu provide advisory services to each Participating Authority as necessary to conduct n proper recount. XV. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 1 The Elections Administrator shall file copies of this document with the Williamson County Treasurer and the Williamson County Auditor in accordance with Section 31.099 of the Texas Election Code. 2. Nothing in this Contract prevents any party from taking appropriate legal action against any other party and/or other election personnel for a breach of this Contract or a violation of the Texas Election Code. 3. This Contract shall be construed under and in accord with the laws of the State of Texas, and all obligations of the parties created hereunder are performable in Williamson County, Texas. 4. In the event that one of more of the provisions contained in this Contract shall for any reason be held to be invaUd, iUego|, or unenforceable in any respect, such inva|idity, iUega|ity, orunenfovceebi|ityshall not affect any other provision hereof and this Contract shall be construed as if such invaUd, i|iogo(, or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein. 5. All parties shall comply with all applicable |awo, ordinanmau, and codes of the State of Texas, all local guvernmenta, and any other entities with local jurisdiction. G. The waiver by any party of a breach of any provision of this Contract shall not operate as or be construed eaa waiver of any subsequent breach. Rev. 01142014 7. Any amendments of this Contract shall be of no effect unless in writing and signed by all parties hereto. XVI. COST ESTIMATES AND DEPOSIT OF FUNDS The total estimated cost for the May 10, 2014 election is $220,000.00 and is based on the cost of the 2013 May elections. After the final determination has been made of whom the Participating Authorities will be and the Contracts are fully executed, the Elections Administrator shall provide each Participating Authority with an estimated cost in the form of an Invoice. Each Participating Authority's percent share of the estimated total cost is based on the number of registered voters and further described in Section XIA. of this Contract. Each Participating Authority agrees to pay the Williamson County Elections Administrator a deposit of 67% of the estimated obligation no later than 15 days after the Invoice Date. As soon as reasonably possible after May 10, 2014, the Elections Administrator will submit an itemized invoice to each Participating Authority based on the actual expenses (supported by documentation such as time sheets, compensation forms, and invoices) directly attributable to the services provided by the Elections Administrator. The exact amount of each Participating Authority's obligation under the terms of this Contract shall be calculated after the May 10, 2014 election (or runoff election, if applicable); and, if the amount of an Authority's total obligation exceeds the amount deposited, the authority shall pay to the Elections Administrator the balance due within 30 days after the receipt of the final invoice from the Elections Administrator. However, if the amount of the authority's total obligation is less than the amount deposited, the Elections Administrator shall refund to the authority the excess amount paid within 30 days after the final costs are calculated. REMAINDER OF PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY Rev. 01.14.2014 EXHIBIT A Rev. 01.14.2014 EXHIBIT B Rov. 01142014 XV||. SIGNATURE PAGE (Separate Page) WITNESS BYK0Y HAND THIS THE DAY OF 20___ ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR:. Jason M. Barnett, Elections Administrator Williamson County, Texas WITNESS BYK8Y HAND THIS THE DAY OF 20____ PARTICIPATING AUTHORITY: Name of Participating Authority: By: Printed Name: Official Capacity: Rov. 01142014