Regina executive committee approves increased election costs

It looks like the city will indeed be spending several hundred thousand dollars more on this fall’s municipal election.

The city’s executive committee — made up entirely of city council — voted in favour of spending $867,000, an increase of more than $300,000 from the last election. A total of $558,000 was budgeted in 2012. Half the costs of the 2016 election will be covered by the school boards.

Deputy city clerk Erna Hall previously explained how the increase is due in part to the rental of new vote counting equipment, along with new money being spent on election-related management software and increased communications on how people can cast a ballot.

As part of the motion, the committee also doesn’t believe candidates running need a criminal background check.

The proposal could be finalized at the Jan.25 council meeting.