It could cost as much as $245,000 to conduct a municipal election in November that includes a citywide race for mayor, the first two district council contests, and a potential tax measure.

It is one of several major initiatives the Legislative Services/City Clerk office will be tackling in the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1.

The priorities were outlined earlier this month during the City Council’s annual goal setting workshop that is a precursor to establishing a spending plan for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.

It cost $160,984 in November 2020 to conduct an election for two council seats and the additional one cent sales taxes measure that failed by 1,561 votes.

The estimate for the election cost is being made on the high side as the San Joaquín County Registrar of Voters will not have estimates for the 2022 election until May.

The city clerk’s office is also seeking to retain the $100,000 earmarked to complete the records management upgrades by June 30, 2023.

When completed it will create an efficient citywide records management that ties into all of the departments.

It will enable the city to launch:

*a citywide public portal.

*an electronic business license and public request form on the city website.

*a citywide contract management electronic routing system.

The last item might sound inconsequential. However, by having such as system in place instead of having to walk a set of plans, bid documents, and other contracts to each department involved to inspect and sign off on it has the ability to significantly reduce the time it takes to move both big and small projects forward. And as such it could also save money.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com