County will cover additional costs from ballot modifications not included in current budget draft.
By David Holloway | The Commonwealth Wire
Arlington County will have sufficient funds to cover unexpected election costs this year despite the current budget draft not accounting for changes to the ballot process, County Manager Mark Schwartz assured officials this week.
The promise comes as Arlington faces what Schwartz described as “change-ups at the ballot box” that will require additional expenditures beyond what was originally planned in the county’s fiscal year 2024 budget proposal.
While Schwartz did not specify the exact nature of the electoral changes or provide a dollar amount for the additional costs, he emphasized that the county government has contingency measures in place to address the funding gap.
“We are committed to ensuring that all election operations proceed smoothly regardless of these unforeseen circumstances,” Schwartz said during a recent county meeting.
The budget situation highlights the challenges local governments face when electoral processes change after budget planning cycles are completed. Arlington County’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30, with budget preparations typically beginning months in advance.
Arlington’s elections office has not yet released details about what specific changes prompted the need for additional funding. The county conducts various elections throughout the year, including federal, state and local races, as well as special elections and ballot initiatives.
County Board members expressed confidence in Schwartz’s assessment that funds would be available. Board Chair Libby Garvey noted that Arlington maintains reserve funds specifically for unexpected operational needs.
“This is exactly the type of situation our contingency planning is designed to address,” Garvey said.
The county’s current budget draft is still under review and has not been finalized by the County Board. Public hearings on the proposed budget are scheduled to continue through the spring, with final adoption expected before the start of the new fiscal year in July.
Arlington County’s annual budget typically exceeds $1.5 billion, with election costs representing a relatively small portion of overall expenditures. However, election security and integrity measures have become increasingly expensive for local governments across Virginia in recent years.
The county has invested heavily in election infrastructure upgrades, including new voting machines and enhanced cybersecurity measures, following state and federal mandates.
Schwartz indicated that the county would likely address the funding through either budget amendments or by utilizing existing contingency reserves. He pledged to provide more specific details about the costs and funding mechanisms in upcoming budget discussions.
Arlington voters can expect normal election operations to continue despite the budget adjustments, according to county officials.
Key Facts
- Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz promises funds available for unexpected 2024 election costs not included in current budget draft
- County faces “change-ups at the ballot box” requiring additional expenditures beyond originally planned budget
- Specific nature of electoral changes and exact dollar amounts not yet disclosed by county officials
- County maintains reserve funds and contingency measures for unexpected operational needs
- Current budget draft still under review with final adoption expected before July start of fiscal year 2024
