(A) Definitions.
(1) Unless stated otherwise in this section, for the purposes of this section, the words and phrases used herein shall have the meanings set forth in R.C. Title 35. Contribution and in-kind contribution shall have the same meaning as in § 31.07. Expenditure means the disbursement or use of a contribution for the purpose of influencing the results of an election.
(2) Expenditures shall be disclosed by candidates for city elective office as of the date they are paid. The date listed for each expense should be the date that a check or other payment instrument is mailed, handed over or transmitted.
(B) Application. This section shall apply to all candidates for all elected city offices.
(C) Computation of time. Notwithstanding any other provision in the City Codified Ordinances, any reporting dates set forth below shall be computed using calendar days counting each day.
(D) Candidate disclosure statements. In addition to the registration and reporting requirements contained in R.C. Chapter 3517, all candidates for elected city offices shall file with the Clerk of Council, at the times specified in divisions (E)(1) and (E)(2) of this section, a copy of the disclosure forms provided by the Secretary of State regardless of whether they are required by law to file such forms with the County Board of Elections.
(E) Deadlines for candidate disclosure statements.
(1) Pre-election Statement. All candidates who shall appear on the ballot at the immediately forthcoming election shall file a statement by 4:00 p.m., 12 days before the date of the election.
(2) Post-election Statement. All candidates who appeared on the ballot at the immediately preceding election shall file a statement by 4:00 p.m., 38 days after the date of the election.
(3) The statements required under divisions (E)(1) and (E)(2) of this section shall be filed in addition to any other provisions of state law and notwithstanding any provisions of state election law that exempt from reporting requirements contributions under a minimum amount.
(F) Contents of pre-election disclosure statements. The statement required by division (E)(1) of this section shall include: a list of each contribution received, all in-kind contributions, and the name and address of each donor, an aggregate total of all contributions and in-kind contributions received. The statements shall also include a list of each expenditure of contributions made during the campaign period, and the recipient of each expenditure. This statement shall include all such activity during the campaign period through the 20th day before the election.
(G) Contents of post-election disclosure statements. The statement required by division (E)(2) of this section shall include all activity since the latest date of activity included in the pre-election filing through the 31st day after the election including: a list of each contribution and in-kind contribution received by the candidate of campaign that was not included in the pre-election filing, and the name and address of each donor, an aggregate total of all contributions and in-kind contributions that was not included in the pre-election filing, and a list of each expenditure of contributions made after the pre-election filing, and the recipient of each expenditure.
(H) Publication. The Clerk of Council shall publish the candidate disclosure statements discussed in divisions (F) and (G) of this section on the city's web site or other generally accepted medium, as designated by Council.
(I) Review. The Director of Accounting and Auditing shall review all candidate disclosure statements filed under the provisions of this section for compliance and shall refer to the Director of Law any matter which appears to possibly conflict with or violate any of the provisions of this section.
(J) Ohio law. The provisions of the laws of the State of Ohio pertaining to elections that are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section shall remain in full force and effect and shall apply in addition to the requirements of this section. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the laws of the State of Ohio and the provisions of this section, the provisions of this section shall control.
(Ord. 51-99, passed 5-17-99; Am. Ord. 80-03, passed 7-21-03; Am. Ord. 04-09, passed 5-4-09; Am. Ord. 03-12, passed 2-13-12; Am. Ord. 90-21, passed 12-6-21)