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DISCUSSION ON ADOPTION OF A COUNCIL POLICY RELATED TO POLITICAL CAMPAIGN CONSULTANTS WITH POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Council Legislation Environmental Committee discuss and forward a recommendation to Council the proposed policy related to Political Campaign Consultants.
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Summary
Council Policy 2.10 - Political Consultant and Campaign Manager Registry (Attachment A - CPM 2.10) is presented to the Council Legislation Environmental Committee for discussion and recommendation to the City Council for approval.
DISCUSSION
Background
At the July 17, 2024, meeting of the Legislation Environmental Committee, information was presented in accordance with the San Joaquin Civil Grand Jury recommendation to review and consider enacting new policies to strengthen election transparency and ethics.
During the September 18, 2024, Legislation Environmental Committee meeting staff presented information previously requested by the commission regarding ethics commissions and political consultant reporting. The committee’s determination was to take no further action, citing financial constraints.
Chair Enriquez directed staff to return on May 18, 2026, with additional information for reconsideration of the item. Recognizing the example given by the San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury, City of San Franciso, was significantly different in function as a City/County government and financially in funding capability, staff sought solutions within our constraints and presented the following options.
• Creation of a Political Consultant/Campaign Manager Registry. To be included on this registry, the Political Consultant/Campaign Manager must have an active Business License with the City of Stockton, complete a short form with business information including a list of clients running for City Office, and complete orientation in order to be published to the City’s website under Elections.
• Creation of a basic orientation for political consultants, where they must review specific Stockton Municipal Codes (Political Sign Regulations, Politics in City Hall), Fair Political Practices Commission requirements, and the Candidate Handbook. This orientation will need to be completed every two years to coincide with the election schedule, as long as they continue to have clients active in the election.
• Political Consultants and Campaign Managers will be listed on the City’s website in good standing if all items are completed or Inactive if either no clients or items are incomplete.
The Committee directed staff to draft a full policy with options and return to a subsequent meeting.
Present Situation
Staff presents Council Policy 2.10 - Political Consultant and Campaign Manager Registry and related Registry Form (Attachment B - CPM 2.10 Registry Form) for consideration and recommendation to the City Council
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There would be no financial impact by taking this action.
Attachment A - CPM 2.10
Attachment B - CPM 2.10 Registry Form