City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: April 12, 2022
Agenda Item: 7.C
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Denise Anderson Warren, City Clerk, Records and Election Services Department
Subject: Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Santa Monica Municipal Code (SMMC) 11.04.050 Adjusting the City's Campaign Contribution Limit
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council introduce for first reading the attached ordinance adjusting the City’s Election Code section on limitations on contributions from persons.
Summary
SMMC 11.04.050 requires an adjustment of the City’s contribution limit from individuals every five years to reflect inflation. This amendment would increase the limit from $340 to $410 to any candidate for the Santa Monica City Council and the Santa Monica Rent Control Board and for each election in which they are on the ballot.
Discussion
The contribution limit was first established in 1992. Over the years, its application was adjusted to reflect changes in case laws. The new limit would apply to the November 8, 2022 Municipal Election, but would not apply to candidates for the Santa Monica Community College and Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School Districts. The adjustment is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area and rounded to the nearest five dollars. The previous limit of $340 commenced on July 1, 2016, and this adjustment 2 of 2
should have occurred 2021 but was not presented until now. The next increase will occur on July 1, 2026.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of recommended action.
Prepared By: Maria Dacanay, Administrative Analyst
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Proposed Ordinance