The Joint Model Primary Election Contract (the "Joint Model Contract") prescribed by the Secretary of State is adopted by reference. Copies of the Joint Model Contract may be obtained from the Secretary of State. The Joint Model Contract must be used in an agreement for joint primary election services pursuant to the Texas Election Code, §31.092(b), between the county executive committee and the county elections officer, unless otherwise authorized by the Secretary of State. Any modification of the Joint Model Contract is not binding until approved in writing by the Secretary of State, and execution of such contract is not completed until such written approval is obtained. The county elections officer must submit an accounting of the actual costs incurred in performance of the joint contract before the county chair may make final payment. A detailed billing of all actual costs must be submitted with the Final Cost Report before the last 25% of funds will be paid. Only actual costs incurred by the county and payable under the provisions of the Election Code, such contract, or these administrative rules may be paid to the county from primary funds. If costs are to be paid directly by the county clerk or elections administrator, the county chair shall remit the total amount of state funds forwarded to the county chair pursuant to Part I of the contract to the county clerk within 5 days of receipt of the primary funds. A contract may not allow for reimbursement for training election workers or providing materials published by the Secretary of State. Regular salaries of personnel regularly employed by the county may not be paid from or reimbursed to the county from the primary fund. A joint election primary contract for the 1998 primary elections cannot provide for any salary or compensation of the county election officer for the performance of any statutory duty or service. (Joint primary elections contract costs do not count against administrative salary limits set under §81.130 of this title (relating to Administrative Personnel Limited).)

Source Note:The provisions of this §81.157 adopted to be effective December 15, 1997, 22 TexReg 12037.