(a) The purpose of this Section is to extend prohibitions similar to those that apply to mass mailings to paid advertising by elected officials of the County. Advertising for purposes of this Section is defined to include any paid notice, announcement, broadcast or other paid information placed with newspapers, magazines, radio or television media or other commercial media but shall not include legal notices as required by law or court order.
(b) Elected officials of the County are prohibited from using public funds for advertising which includes an elected official’s photograph unless such use of a photograph is required by law and are prohibited from using public funds for advertising which includes an elected official’s name except as provided in this Section. The name of an elected official may be included in advertising related to the governmental programs and activities that are the responsibility of the elected official and shall be limited to the duties and responsibilities of the official. Whenever the name of an elected official is included, the official’s name shall appear only once and the name shall be in the same type font and size as the general text of the advertisement and shall not be set in boldface or otherwise featured. In any radio or television media advertisement, there shall only be one mention of the official’s name and the name of the official shall not be emphasized by volume or otherwise. Further, elected officials are prohibited from using public funds for advertising which includes an elected official’s name during the 60-day period prior to a primary or general election when they are on the ballot unless such advertising is necessary in the performance of their duties and responsibilities. The County will not pay the costs for any advertising which violates this Section and the Auditor/Controller shall not process payment for any such advertising.
(Ord. 3865, passed - -2002)