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June 3, 2025
ITEM TITLE
City Elections: Update the Chula Vista Municipal Code to Reflect the Adjustment of the Campaign Contribution Limit, as Required by Section 2.52.040(D), for Any Election Held on or After January 1, 2026
Report Number: 25-0155
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: City Clerk
Environmental Notice : The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Place an ordinance on first reading amending various sections of Chula Vista Municipal Code (CVMC) Chapter
2.52 reflecting adjustments to the campaign contribution limits for individuals and political party committees for any election occurring on or after January 1, 202 6, based on changes in the Consumer Price Index as required by CVMC section 2.52.040(D). (First Reading)
SUMMARY
As required by Chula Vista Municipal Code Section (CVMC) 2.52.040(D), the City Clerk has adjusted the campaign contribution limits for individuals and political party committees based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for the San Diego area for the two -year period ending December 31, 202 4. The adjusted campaign contribution limits apply to any election occurring on or after January 1, 2026. Adoption of the ordinance amends various sections of the CVMC to reflect the adjusted limits.
The City Attorney and City Clerk have received input from the City Council and will return with more comprehensive recommendations for changes to the Campaign Contribution Ordinance at a later date. The currently proposed amendment is limited to the existing requirement that the campaign contribution limits be updated every two years (CVMC section 2.52.040(D)).
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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
Chula Vista Municipal Code Section 2.52.040 (D) requires the City Clerk to adjust the campaign contribution limit every odd-numbered year to reflect any changes in the Consumer Price Index for the San Diego area for the two-year period ending on December 31st of the previous year and requires these adjustments to be rounded to the nearest $10.
The Consumer Price Index for the San Diego area for the periods ending December 2022 and December 2024 were 344.416 and 373.321, respectively, demonstrating an increase of 8.39 percent.
The contribution limits were previously set at $410 for individuals and $1,410 for political party committees by Chula Vista Municipal Code section 2.52.040 (A) and (B), respectively. Applying the percentage of change of the Consumer Price Index and rounding to the nearest $10, the City Clerk adjusted the contribution limits $440 for individuals and $1,530 for political party committees.
The City Clerk will publish the Notice of Campaign Contribution Limit Adjustment in the Star News, as required by Chula Vista Municipal Code Section 2.52.040 (D), on June 6, 2025. The City Clerk will also cause the notice to be translated into Chinese (Traditional), Filipino, Spanish, and Vietnamese and published in the language-specific newspapers on their respective weekly publication date during the week of June 6, 2025 .
The Federal Voting Rights Act, together with an agreement between the U.S. Department of Justice and the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, requires the translation of all election -related materials and notices into covered languages predominantly spoken by 10,000 voters or more in the County.
The City Attorney and City Clerk have received input from the City Council regarding potential additional changes to the Campaign Contribution Ordinance (CVMC 2.52) and will return with more comprehensive recommendations at a later date. The currently proposed amendment is limited to the existing requirement that the campaign contribution limits be updated every two years (CVMC section 2.52.040(D)).
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has received the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the real property holdings of the City Council members do not create a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov’t Code §87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Councilmember, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
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CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Adoption of the proposed ordinance has no impact on the General Fund.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1: Proposed Amendment to Chula Vista Municipal Code Chapter 2.52 Staff Contact: Kerry K. Bigelow, MMC, City Clerk