BACKGROUND
The City of Roseville transitioned to “district-based” elections back in 2019. Staff has received several complaints, and requests for amendments, regarding the current campaign finance disclosure requirements, which are over 20 years old and contain sections that lack clarity and need to be addressed due to the recent change to district-based elections. This prompted staff to revisit several sections of Chapter 2.60 of the Roseville Municipal Code.
At the July 21, 2021 City Council meeting, staff requested direction from Council on amendments to sections of Chapter 2.60 of the Roseville Municipal Code:
1. Determine local violation enforcement official;
2. Consider contribution limits;
3. Amend or reaffirm fundraising timeframe;
4. Advise on existing officeholder accounts; and
5. Require electronic filing of campaign reports.
Per Council consensus, direction was given to staff that the following items remain unchanged:
• Contribution limits to remain at the CPI-adjusted amount of $510.
• Fundraising time period will remain from a point nine months prior to the general election and end on December 31st following an election.
• Office Holder Accounts to remain at a not-to-exceed limit of $5,000.
Per Council consensus, direction was given to staff to follow up with additional options and/or language related to:
• Violation Enforcement language – City Council indicated that this section should be amended to make clear that upon discovery of a campaign finance violation, the City will work with an election candidate before taking formal enforcement action.
• Family Contribution Limits – City Council indicated that this section should be amended to read that contributions by dependent children (under 18 years old) shall be treated as contributions by their parents and attributing one-half to each parent of the total amount or the total amount to a single custodial parent.
• Implement Electronic Filing of Election Reports – City Council indicated that this section should be amended to read that all election reports shall be filed electronically.
In addition to these changes, staff noticed there had been a historical cross-reference to a section of State law that was no longer applicable to how the City calculates annual campaign contributions limit increases. There is a non-substantive amendment to Roseville Municipal Code section 2.60.065(E) that reflects the current practice and direction of City Council and corrects the error.
The remaining amendments to sections 2.60.065, 2.60.070, and 2.60.090 of Chapter 2.60 of Title 2 of the Roseville Municipal Code regarding Campaign Finance Disclosure are meant to implement the direction of City Council discussed above.