Title
SECOND AND FINAL READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE I OF CHAPTER 2 OF THE COMMERCE CITY REVISED MUNICIPAL CODE TO PROVIDE FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE REGULATIONS
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Summary and Background Information:
At the March 6, 2023 Council Meeting, City Council voted to direct staff to draft a campaign finance ordinance to provide for additional campaign finance reporting periods and reports within 2 weeks of the election to be posted on the website within 48 hours. The drafted ordinance contains the following:
1. Six Reporting Periods. Staff has proposed the following reporting periods. Staff believes these reporting periods will provide for transparent and timely notice to the public for campaign finance contributions and expenditures by committees and candidates. The goal is to increase the reporting frequency, especially in the lead up to election day. This also provides for a post-election report to allow committees to terminate their committee by reporting a $0 balance, or continue to file annually with the City Clerk's Office if there is an outstanding balance.
a. Pre-Election Report 1 - from the time a Committee is opened through July 31st, Due August 5
b. Pre-Election Report 2 - August 1 - August 31, Due September 5
c. Pre-Election Report 3 - September 1 - September 30, Due October 5
d. Pre-Election Report 4 - October 1 - October 15, Due October 20
e. Pre-Election Report 5 - October 16 - October 29 - Due Friday Before Election
f. Post-Election Report - October 30 - November 30, Due December 5
Annual Reports for committees with a remaining balance will be due 1st Monday of November until the committee is terminated.
2. $400 Large Contribution Reports. State Statute provides that contributions of $1000 or more made within 30 days of the election must be reported within 24 hours. Council desired to lower the limit to $400, require the reporting regardless of whether the donation was in currency or in-kind, make the report due at any time during...
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