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Date: January 27, 2025 Item: 2 <br />Presenter: Adam Edwards, City Administrator / Engineer <br />Section: Work Session Item <br /> <br />Title: Special Elections <br /> <br /> <br />1.Purpose: <br />The purpose of this item is to discuss options for adding a special election provision to the Orono <br />City Code and review how a special election would be implemented. <br />2.Background: <br />In 2024 the resignation of Council member Johnson brought the issue of a special election to the <br />fore. Filling of a council vacancy is described in State Statute 412.02 (see exhibit A). In order to <br />hold a special election at a time other than the next regularly scheduled election the city must have <br />a special election ordinance. Orono does not currently have such an ordinance. <br />a. Special Election Ordinance. The creation of a special election Ordinance is fairly straight <br />forward and follows the standard process for adopting any regular ordinance: A draft ordinance is <br />prepared and publicly noticed for 10 days prior to its adoption by the city council. The city <br />council holds a public hearing and then can vote on the adoption of the ordinance. Once adopted a <br />summary ordinance is published. The League of Minnesota Cities has a guide on special <br />elections and an ordinance template (exhibit B & C). Staff used that template and the current <br />special election ordinance the city of Burnsville has to produce a proposed draft ordinance at <br />exhibit D. <br />b. Holding a Special Election. In order to hold a special election the council must pass a <br />resolution in accordance with its special election ordinance. Special elections must be held on <br />specific dates set by the state. Date for special election in 2025 are listed below. Based on the <br />notification periods required (84 days to county auditor) the earliest date Orono could use would <br />be in May if a decision was made to do so at the February 10th council meeting. <br />Second Tuesday in May (May 13, 2025) <br />Second Tuesday in August (August 12, 2025) <br />First Tuesday after the first Monday in November (November 4, 2025) <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />3.Cost: <br />An initial estimate from staff is that it would cost ~$35,000 to hold a special election that is not <br />aligned withe general election. In addition the Clerks office would need to postpone other work <br />to plan and mange a special election. <br />AGENDA ITEM <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED <br />Discussion and guidance on special elections <br />Exhibits <br />Mn_Stat_412.02_City_Elections_Officers_Terms_Vacancies_city_employees.pdf <br />City-Special-Elections.pdf <br />4