TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Jarad Hildenbrand, City Manager
1. Subject
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Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 19-25 amending Chapter 2.10 of Title 2 of the Orange Municipal Code relating to controlled committee contributions, as well as the process to incorporate amendments and additional requirements to Chapter 2.10.
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2. Summary
The proposed Ordinance will make select changes to Orange Municipal Code Sections 2.10.090 and 2.10.240 regarding controlled committee contributions and the process to amend Chapter 2.10.
3. Recommended Action
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Introduce and conduct First Reading of Ordinance No. 19-25. An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Orange amending Sections 2.10.090 and 2.10.240 of the Orange Municipal Code to prohibit transfers of contributions from candidate-controlled committees to City Candidate Committees, to prohibit Candidate-Controlled or Elected Officer-Controlled Committees from making contributions to any committee supporting or opposing a City Candidate for office, and to clarify procedures for amending campaign contribution limitations.
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4. Fiscal Impact
None.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 3: Enhance Public Communication Strategy and Quality of Life.
6. Discussion and Background
On May 28, 2024, the Orange City Council adopted Ordinance No. 09-24. This ordinance made select changes to Orange Municipal Code Section 2.10.090 regarding contributions from controlled committees. Before Ordinance No. 09-24, the City did not allow City Candidates or Elective City Officers contribute funds from their respective controlled committees to any other committee that supported or opposed other City Candidates. Ordinance No. 09-24 removed this prohibition.
Per City Council direction on October 28, 2025, Ordinance No. 19-25 reestablishes these prohibitions while modifying the process to amend or change Orange Municipal Code Chapter 2.10. Provided below are the more significant changes proposed in Ordinance No. 19-25
• City Candidates, Elective City Officers, or their controlled committees cannot accept contributions from committees controlled by a federal, state, or local candidate or office holder.
• Any changes to contribution limitations as detailed in Chapter 2.10 may occur provided it does not take effect 90 days prior or after an election.
• That any technical, non-substantive changes to Chapter 2.10 may occur with a simple majority (4/7) vote of the City Council.
• If any amendments or revocation of Chapter 2.10 do not further the purpose statement as written in Section 2.10.020, then those proposals shall only be approved after being submitted to the voters and approved by majority vote. For reference, provided below is the purpose statement:
Section 2.10.020 Purpose.
The purposes of this chapter are: (1) to preserve the integrity of the City's election process through public disclosure of contributions; (2) to maintain public trust in City government and its elected officials; (3) to encourage participation in City elections; (4) to ensure the neutrality and appearance of neutrality by the City in elections; (5) to prevent corruption or the appearance thereof that can be caused by large contributions; and (6) to prevent evasion of contribution limits by the funneling or laundering of contributions.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Ordinance No. 19-25 Clean
• Ordinance No. 19-25 Redline