City officials weigh runoff elections

Low voter turnout and the high cost of runoff elections are leaving some local City Council members wondering: Is it really worth it?

The Idaho Falls City Council met Monday to discuss runoff elections. The current ordinance said City Council members and the mayor have to win by 50 percent plus one. Mayor Rebecca Casper won by 54 percent, so a runoff election didn’t happen in her case,but there were three City Council seats that had runoff elections. Because of this, the council is evaluating if they want to maintain the ordinance or change it.

“The county government pays for elections in Bonneville county and it includes city elections, except for runoffs. Runoffs are at the cost to the city and estimated costs were about $30,000 to do the runoffs for the three council seats,” said Ed Marohn, City Councilman.

The council will meet on Dec. 15 to talk about the issue further. Other issues discussed Monday include the new Idaho Falls fire station. Marohn said they hope to start construction early next year.