Recalls Drain Caledonia's Elections Budget

The recent recall primary and general elections have taken a fiscal toll on the Caledonia elections budget, according to the village clerk. 

The village had budgeted $37,600 for election salaries in 2012. It has already spent $39,149 on the administration of seven polling places during the primaries and general elections for both the annual local and special election cycles. 

The budget "would have been right on if we didn't have a recall that we didn't (plan) for," said Caledonia Clerk Kari Torkilsen on Friday. 

Torkilsen gave an update on the situation to the Finance Committee last week outlining the impact of Caledonia opening its polls six times this year. 

"It was brought to their attention to let them know what was going on and that we have two more elections to get through," Torkilsen said. 

Because Caledonia has met its budgeted amount for elections this year, village officials will need to determine how to pay for the upcoming primary and general elections, which will determine races in the House, Senate and for the White House.