For City Council Meeting July 28, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Tanya Williams, City Manager
FROM: Eric S. Vail, City Attorney
Title
Request that the City Council Consider Approval and Adoption of Resolution No. 8551 Establishing Campaign Contribution Limits for the City’s Elective Offices (Mayor, Councilmembers, City Clerk, and City Treasurer) and Other Related Campaign Regulations.
(ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council consider approval and adoption of the Resolution entitled: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIALTO, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMITS AND OTHER RELATED CAMPAIGN REGULATIONS.”
BACKGROUND
The City currently does not have any campaign contribution limits. This means that the City currently defaults to the contribution limits set by Government Code Section 85301. At this time, the current contribution limit established is $5,900 per election, which is adjusted in odd numbered years by the Fair Political Practices Commission based upon the Consumer Price Index. However, Government Code Section 85702.5 permits the City to impose a limit on contributions that are different from this limit. Further Government Code Section 81013 permits the City to impose additional requirements so long as those requirements do not prevent compliance with the Political Reform Act.
Accordingly, we recommend that the City Council revisit this issue by considering the attached Resolution as an alternative to the State campaign contribution limits.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
If adopted, the attached Resolution establishes a campaign contribution limit of $5,900 per calendar year and would be applicable to the offices of mayor, city councilmember, city clerk, and city treasurer. Although the dollar amount is the same as the State’s limit, the use of “per calendar” provides greater clarity compared to the State limit that is imposed on a “per election” basis since elections, in general, do not coincide with calendar years.
Additionally, beginning on January 1, 2027, this campaign contribution limit is adjusted every odd-numbered year based upon Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario. This adjustment will be effective on January 1 of every odd-numbered year. The Resolution provides that the City Clerk will keep a record of these adjustments and that record of adjustments will be available to candidates and the public.
This Resolution also establishes other related regulations such as the following:
1. Contributions are aggregated between an individual and entity in which the individual has directed or controls the contributions of the entity.
2. Permits candidates to use their own funds but prohibits candidates from loaning any amount in excess of $100,000 to their campaign. Further, this prohibits candidates from charging interest on these loans.
3. The contribution limits are imposed upon candidates making contributions to other candidates.
4. These campaign contribution limits do not apply where a candidate is seeking non-City office, such as State, Federal, county, special district offices.
It is recommended that the City Council consider adoption of the attached Resolution establishing campaign contribution limits and other related campaign regulations.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed actions do not constitute a “project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(b), a project does not include organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3A of the General Plan: Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney prepared and approved this staff report and resolution.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Adopting the Resolution as proposed will have no fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Resolution