Campaign donation limits could increase if the Belmont City Council agrees with recommendations to update its 22-year-old campaign contribution ordinance.
In January, the council formed a subcommittee of councilmembers Bill Dickenson and Christine Wozniak and City Clerk Terri Cook to consider ordinance revisions. Tonight, the group will suggest the council raise the threshold to form a campaign committee from $250 to $1,000, raise the threshold for itemization for individual contributions from $50 to $100 and from $50 to $100 for anonymous donors.
The subcommittee is also recommending a $250 cap on all individual contributions and the prohibition of business or organization contributions, according to a report issued last week.
Belmont is one of four cities in San Mateo County with a campaign finance ordinance. The others are Half Moon Bay, Burlingame and San Mateo. Belmont’s ordinance has greater limits and requirements than the state law and therefore confuses some candidates, Cook said.
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For example, the state requires candidates for public office to report their campaign activity if they raise or spend $1,000 or more. In Belmont, anyone who raises or spends more than $200 is required to file a report with the city clerk.
Cook addressed the item toward the end of the last council meeting.
If approved Tuesday, the subcommittee will work with Cook to review the ordinance within the next four to six weeks. It is Cook’s goal to have the revised ordinance completed before candidates can begin applying for office in July. There are currently three seats up for re-election. They are occupied by Warren Lieberman, Coralin Feierbach and Dickenson.
The council meets at 7:30 p.m. tonight at City Hall, 1 Twin Pines Lane.
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