Council votes to raise campaign limits to $500

The Huntington Beach City Council appeared to have finally come to a compromise on campaign contribution limits at its meeting Monday, likely closing a debate that had taken up three meetings in a row without closure. If the vote is confirmed at the next meeting, residents could donate up to $500 to local candidates in upcoming elections.

Members voted 5-2 to raise limits to $500 from $300, also adding in automatic raises every two years to keep pace with consumer prices. Council members came to consensus after Mayor Debbie Cook asked them all in turn to state their ideal limits and the most they would compromise. Members quickly settled on $500.

Members said they brought up the automatic raises to avoid ever having to vote on the issue again.

“I think we absolutely need to depoliticize this decision,” Councilman Don Hansen said. “I want to save future councils from even having to wrestle with this.”

The 5-2 vote was the first such vote since the issue was introduced in April to pass by more than 4-3. Members had been sharply divided ever since.

Cook herself, along with Councilwoman Jill Hardy, voted no on the limit; both have repeatedly said they wanted no raises at all.

MICHAEL ALEXANDER may be reached at (714) 966-4618 or at michael.alexander@latimes.com.