The actual cost of the recount should be determined by calculating any municipal employees' salary and/or officials pay or expenses specifically for the meeting conducted for the recount. If no staff time is used and officers do not receive "per meeting" pay or expenses, the recount may not cost anything. If the entire recount is conducted based on the original request, that candidate must pay the costs only if the outcome of the election is not changed. In other words, if the losing candidate requesting the recount still loses, that candidate pays the cost. If that person wins, the municipality bears the cost. If the original candidate stops the recount and another person asks that it continue, the costs of each portion of the process are divided proportionally between the two -- but again, each candidate is responsible for paying only if the winner does not change during the portion for which they are responsible. The bond is refunded or released after costs, if required, are paid. (Ord. 05-07. Passed 10-20-05.)