CITY OF SAN MATEO
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CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 6 Section Name: CONSENT CALENDAR Account Number: 10-1511 File ID: 25-10254 TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: City Clerk's Office
MEETING DATE: August 18, 2025
SUBJECT:
Amendment to Contribution Limits for City Candidate Campaigns — Ordinance Adoption RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt an Ordinance to amend San Mateo Municipal Code Chapter 2.80: "Contributions and Loans to City Candidate Campaigns” to adjust contribution limits for individuals to $1,000, thereby aligning with organizational contribution limits, link future contribution limits adjustments to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and enhance incentives for participation in the voluntary expenditure limits program, all in accordance with Council direction.
BACKGROUND:
On July 28, 2025, the City Council introduced the attached proposed Ordinance (Attachment 1) to amend San Mateo Municipal Code Chapter 2.80: "Contributions and Loans to City Candidate Campaigns.” The proposed Ordinance would increase contribution limits for individuals from $500 to $1,000 (the same limits currently applicable to organizations) with future increases linked to the CPI, rounded up to the nearest $10, and eliminates a related typographical error (a missing phrase) from the prior draft. The Ordinance would also allow candidates who opt to participate in the voluntary expenditure limits program to submit an additional four-hundred-word candidate statement for inclusion on the City’s website.
If adopted, this Ordinance will take effect on January 1, 2026, in order to align with campaign reporting periods.
BUDGET IMPACT:
There is no budgetary impact associated with this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This proposed Ordinance is not a project subject to CEQA, because it is an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5).)
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
Att 1 – Proposed Ordinance
STAFF CONTACT
Chantal Eaton, Deputy City Clerk
[email protected]
(650) 522-7044