Council to look at campaign finance limits

The City Council will discuss whether to raise campaign finance limits as much as tenfold at a study session at 4 p.m. Monday.

Two proposals would increase limits from $300 to $3,000, in keeping with state requirements, or to $420, which is the cost of postage for 1,000 mailers, according to a report from the council’s campaign finance subcommittee. Both would have regular automatic increases, either according to the Consumer Price Index or the cost of postage.

Last year, council members narrowly voted in favor of raising contribution limits to $500, but then failed to vote it into law at its second reading. Instead, they decided to hold back on decision making until the subcommittee could come up with a broader approach to reworking campaign finance in the city.

At their regular meeting starting at 6 p.m., the council will vote again on a law to require anyone advertising dogs or cats for sale or adoption in Huntington Beach to place their business license number in the ad. It also would reaffirm the animal licensing fees set by Orange County Animal Care Services.

The measure passed at the last meeting, but local and statewide breeders’ and owners’ groups continue to oppose the measure.

Council meetings are held at City Hall, 2000 Main St.