The special election to replace Hennepin County commissioner Gail Dorfman, who is departing mid-term, will cost Minneapolis $155,000.

That's according to an e-mail city clerk Casey Carl sent to council members and the mayor on Tuesday. The May 13 special election will then be followed six months later by another, regularly scheduled November election.

The county passed a resolution Monday saying saying Hennepin County would pick up the costs of the election. But Carl said in an interview he expects the city will still have to cover some of its $155,000 tab.

Carl estimated that $155,000 will be needed to staff, supply and operate 35 polling places for the special election and an April 29 primary.

Oddly enough, the filing period for the regular November election opens just seven days after the special election is complete.

Dorfman is slated to leave the county board in March to become executive director of St. Stephen's Human Services. Her district includes parts of Minneapolis and St. Louis Park.

Five candidates seeking to replace her will attend a forum at SpringHouse Ministry Center Thursday evening. They are Anne Mavity, Ben Schweigert, Katie Hatt, Ken Kelash and Marion Greene.

Update: This post has been updated to reflect a county board resolution, passed Monday, saying they would pay for the special election.