18. Campaign Expenditures
fI
CITY OF
CUPEI\IINO
City Hall
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014-3255
Telephone: (408) 777-3223
FAX: (408) 777-3366
www.cupertino.org
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
SUMMARY
Agenda Item No. JL
Meeting Date: January 16, 2007
SUBJECT AND ISSUE
Consider renewing the voluntary cap of $26,000 for campaign expenditures for the 2007 City Council
election.
BACKGROUND
In 1997 the City Council first set a voluntary campaign expenditure limit of $15,000. In 1999, the
expenditure limit was increased to $20,000 because of the additional cost of mailing to the recently
annexed neighborhood of Rancho Rinconada. That limit of$20,000 was renewed for the 2001 and
2003 elections. In 2005 the limit was raised to $26,000 because of recent annexations in Garden Gate
and Monta Vista, and because of increases in postage costs.
If the voluntary limit is adopted, it is voluntary and would have no force of law. Candidates can agree
in writing to abide by the limitation, if in that case, the sample voter's ballot will show a black
diamond by the candidate's name indicating that the person has agreed to honor the expenditure limit.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt the attached resolution setting a voluntary expenditure cap of $26,000 for the election of
2007; or
2. Take no action, which means there will be no expenditure limit, voluntary or otherwise, for Council
candidates.
Approved for submission:
~
David Knapp
City Manager
Submitted by:
Kimberly Smith
City Clerk
( {-{
CITY OF CUPERTINO
RESOLUTION NO. 07-016
DRAFT
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO SETTING A
VOLUNTARY LIMIT OF $26,000 IN CAMPAIGN EXPENDITURES FOR THE 2007 CITY
COUNCIL ELECTION
WHEREAS, the City Council believes that candidates should make every effort to limit
overall expenditures in their respective City Council campaigns, thereby allowing both
candidates and office holders to spend a lesser proportion of their time on fundraising and a
greater proportion of their time communicating issues of importance to voters and constituents.
WHEREAS, on May 19, 1997, the Cupertino City Council adopted Resolution No. 9854
setting a voluntary campaign expenditure limit of $15,000; and
WHEREAS, on April 19, 1999, the City Council increased the voluntary expenditure
limit amount to $20,000 in response to the annexation of a large population in the Rancho
Rinconada neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, the City Council determined that $20,000 was an appropriate expenditure
limit for the elections in 2001 and 2003;
WHEREAS, for the election of 2005 the City Council determined that the expenditure
limit should be increased to $26,000 because of recent annexations in Garden Gate and Monta
Vista, and a series of increases in postage costs;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
1) Candidates for City Council are hereby requested to limit their campaign
expenditures to $26,000 for the City Council election of2007.
2) This request does not establish a recommended voluntary campaign expenditure
ceiling within the meaning of Government Code section 85400 et seq. It is the intent of the city
council, in adopting this resolution, not to trigger the enhanced campaign contribution limits
contained in Government Code section 85402(a) et seq.
3) In the event that any candidate wishes to abide by the campaign contribution limit
requested by the city council, he or she may file with the city clerk a written notice of his or her
intent to limit his or her campaign expenditures to $26,000 for the 2007 election, and such intent
will be indicated in the official voter's pamphlet.
4) The cost of printing and translating Candidate Statements shall not be counted
against the voluntary expenditure cap of $26,000.
[j-2
Resolution No. 07-016
Cupertino City Council
5) The provisions of this resolution have no force oflaw.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Cupertino this _ day of ,2007, by the following vote:
V ote Members of the City Council
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
APPROVED:
City Clerk
Mayor, City of Cupertino
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