High costs and large campaign contributions associated with campaigns for local elective office can undermine the public's trust and confidence in the electoral process. It is the intent of this chapter to promote the small town atmosphere of local elections consistent with community values by implementing campaign finance reforms including mandatory contribution limits and an effective enforcement mechanism.
In furtherance of those goals, a reasonable campaign contribution limitation is hereby enacted that are similar to those enacted by other comparable communities. In those communities, such limitations have not inhibited city council candidates' ability to conduct meaningful and effective campaigns or members of the public to meaningfully participate in campaigns as expressed in the form of campaign contributions, but they have limited the appearance and incidents of corruption that have been experienced.
The council finds that the city may enact an ordinance limiting campaign contributions in municipal elections as provided by Section 10202 of the Elections Code of the state. Further, pursuant to Section 81013 of the Government Code of the state, it is determined that the additional requirements imposed by this chapter do not preclude any person from complying with the
Political Reform Act of 1974, being California Government Code Sections 81000 - 81016. (Ord. 502 § 2, 2014; Ord. 231 § 1 (part), 2001)