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<br /> * . <br /> CITY AND SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION FILING FEES . <br /> Currently, state law establishes the fee for filing as a candidate for city office. This fee is set <br /> at $20.00 for first class cities, $5.00 for second and third class cities, and $3.00 for fourth class <br /> cities and towns. State law also establishes the filing fee for candidates for school board at only <br /> $2.00. These fees have not been changed statewide since at least 1976. State law also provides <br /> for the submission of a petition in place of a filing fee for both municipal and school board <br /> elections. <br /> Although the goal of having a reasonable filing fee to encourage citizens to run for local office <br /> is important, the current fees do not approximate the cost of providing information to candidates. <br /> In addition to providing information on election laws, campaign financing limits and sign codes, <br /> municipalities and school districts often provide candidates with copies of the annual budgets, <br /> capital improvement programs and annual financial reports. Some local units of government also <br /> provide copies of agendas, minutes, and staff reports to candidates so they can be informed of <br /> local issues during the campaign. The cost of preparing and mailing of this information to <br /> candidates for local office far exceed the cost of filing. The cost of providing this information <br /> is generally paid through property taxes. <br /> THE SOLUTION: <br /> The Ramsey County League of Local Governments (RCLLG) supports a modification to state . <br /> law that would increase the maximum filing fees for elective office in Class 2, 3, and 4 cities <br /> and towns to $20.00 and increase the filing fee for school board to $20.00. The RCLLG also <br /> supports the current state law that allows candidates for local office to file a qualified petition <br /> in place of the filing fee. <br /> While these increases to the filing fee will not fully cover most local governments' costs of <br /> providing information to candidates, it will help recover some of these costs while maintaining <br /> the filing fees at a reasonable rate to encourage citizens to run for local office. <br /> - <br /> ---.-- ------- <br />