MEETING DATE:
OCTOBER 14, 2014
SUBJECT:
Title
ORDINANCE NO. 2014-1402 - CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 2.16.070 OF THE SAN MARCOS MUNICIPAL CODE TO PROVIDE CONSISTENCY IN THE EXEMPTION OF MONEY OR PROPERTY THAT CANDIDATES MAY CONTRIBUTE, LOAN TO OR EXPEND ON BEHALF OF THEIR OWN CAMPAIGNS FROM CAMPAIGN AND VOTING CONTROLS
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
INTROUDCE Ordinance, which amends Section 2.16.070 of the San Marcos Municipal Code (SMMC) to provide consistency in the exemption of money or property that candidates may contribute, loan to or expend on behalf of their own campaigns from the campaign and voting controls of SMMC Chapter 2.16.070.
Body
Board or Commission Action
Not Applicable.
Relevant Council Strategic Theme
Good Governance
Introduction
The proposed Ordinance amends Section 2.16.070 of the SMMC to exempt limitations on money or property that a candidate may contribute, loan to or expend on behalf of his or her own campaign from campaign contribution and voting restrictions which prohibit Councilmembers from making, participating in making or attempting to influence any government decision or action that will have a reasonably foreseeable material financial effect on the candidate.
Discussion
Chapter 2.16 of the SMMC (Controls on Campaign Contributions) restricts campaign contributions made to candidates from others to specified maximum amounts, and imposes voting restrictions on candidates who receive contributions, loans or expenditures in excess of specified amounts.
SMMC Section 2.16.030, which was amended in 2013, provides that campaign contributions are not to exceed $250, except that political parties may currently contribute $500. Subdivision (f) of that Section expressly excepts out monies that a candidate may contribute, loan to or expend on behalf of his or her own campaign.
It appears that when SMMC Section 2.16.030 was amended, the exception language was not car...
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