It cost the city of Keokuk more than expected to seat one of its city council members.
3rd Ward Alderman Ron Payne won the city election in November by 41 votes over 2nd place finisher Richard Moore.
Payne extended the margin to 68 votes over Moore in last month's run-off election, which was prompted by Payne falling one vote shy of a clear majority in November.
The Lee County Auditor's Office says the final price tag for the run-off election was nearly $5,100.
The city did not budget for a run-off election, so they money had to be transferred in from a different account.
Chance McElhaney with the Iowa Secretary of State's Office says cities determine what election format they use: run-offs, primaries, or a nomination process.
The Keokuk City Council has not talked publicly about changing formats, as the need for a primary election could be just as unpredictable as a run-off election.
The Lee County Auditor's Office says the costs associated with the run-off election include printing ballots, mailing absentee ballots and poll workers.
Fort Madison received a similar bill, roughly $4,600, for last month's run-off election for alderman at large.
That contest differed from Keokuk's, though, in that Rusty Andrews finished second in the November election but was victorious last month.
