Pomona Municipal Code Art. XIV Municipal Campaign Financing and Conflict of Interest

(a) Pursuant to California Government Code Section 85400 or successor statute, nominees for Mayoral or City Council Office may agree to be subject to the City's voluntary expenditure ceiling. The City hereby establishes a voluntary expenditure ceiling with the following limits, as applicable to the particular office and election:

(1) For a City Council District primary or special election, no candidate or the candidate's controlled committee who voluntarily accepts the expenditure ceiling shall make campaign expenditures for that election, including the expenditure of loan proceeds, in excess of an amount equal to two percent (2%) of the limit applicable to candidates for the State Assembly for primary or special elections.

(2) For a City Council District general election, no candidate or the candidate's controlled committee who voluntarily accepts the expenditure ceiling shall make campaign expenditures for that election, including the expenditure of loan proceeds, in excess of an amount equal to two percent (2%) of the limit applicable to candidates for the State Assembly for general elections.

(3) For a Mayoral primary or special election, no candidate or the candidate's controlled committee who voluntarily accepts the expenditure ceiling shall make campaign expenditures for that election, including the expenditure of loan proceeds, in excess of an amount equal to seven percent (7%) of the limit applicable to candidates for the State Assembly for primary or special elections.

(4) For a Mayoral general election, no candidate or the candidate's controlled committee who voluntarily accepts the expenditure ceiling shall make campaign expenditures for that election, including the expenditure of loan proceeds, in excess of an amount equal to seven percent (7%) of the limit applicable to candidates for the State Assembly for general elections.

(b) The City Clerk shall inform the candidates of the voluntary expenditure ceiling and shall make available to the public which candidates agreed to abide by the voluntary expenditure ceiling.

(c) A candidate for Mayor or City Council who accepts the voluntary expenditure ceiling set forth herein may place a candidate's statement in the voter information guide, subject to any applicable costs for filing, translation, and printing. Candidates' statements shall be prepared and submitted in accordance with timeframes and procedures set forth in the California Elections Code for local elective offices. However, notwithstanding any contrary provision of California Elections Code Section 13307, or of any successor statute, after November 8, 2022, the City Clerk or County Elections Official may not include in the voter information guide a statement from a candidate for Mayor or City Council who has not voluntarily agreed to the expenditure ceiling set forth herein.

(d) Except as otherwise provided by this Charter or by City ordinance, the voluntary expenditure ceiling shall be governed by California Government Code Section 85400 et seq. or successor statutes.

Unless otherwise provided by City ordinance, all funds that exceed election campaign expenses for City office, including the repayment of campaign loans, or which otherwise qualify as "surplus campaign funds" under California Government Code Section 89519 or any successor statute, shall be spent only for those purposes specified in Section 89519.

Prior to casting a vote on any contract, permit, or other matter requiring City Council approval where the applicant seeking approval is a person or business entity controlled by that person that has contributed more than five hundred dollars ($500) within the previous twelve (12) months to a Councilmember's City election campaign committee, the Mayor or Council member receiving such contribution(s) shall disclose on the public record the receipt of said contribution(s).

(a) A person shall not make to a candidate for Mayor, and a candidate for Mayor shall not accept from a person, a contribution totaling more than the amount set by California Government Code Section 85301(a), or successor statute, as that amount is adjusted by the Fair Political Practices Commission pursuant to California Government Code section 83124, or successor statute.

(b) A person shall not make to a candidate for City Council, and a candidate for City Council shall not accept from a person, a contribution totaling more than fifty percent (50%) of the amount set by California Government Code Section 85301(a), or successor statute, as that amount is adjusted by the Fair Political Practices Commission pursuant to California Government Code section 83124, or successor statute.