Council transfers $450,000 from golf fund to fully fund small-donor matching this election

Councilor T. Kanal moved a one-time transfer of $450,000 from the golf fund to the Public Elections Fund to ensure the small-donor matching program is fully funded for this years elections. "Small donor elections is a critical part of ensuring the health of our democracy," Kanal said, noting the city previously used golf-fund draws and that the transfer makes the program whole for this election cycle.

Parks and finance staff described the golf fund as currently healthy and said fee increases implemented after last year have improved the fund balance; however they warned of a small deficit in the fifth year of the forecast that will be managed if it materializes. City Attorneys office and the ethics commission advice previously reviewed similar questions about elected officials voting on election-fund matters; the city attorney advised the committee that the ethics commission had concluded voting did not create a personal conflict because campaigns are separate legal entities. Council recorded the motion and approved the one-time transfer with one abstention.

What this means: The small-donor matching program will be fully funded for the current election cycle; councilors and staff noted the city should pursue a stable ongoing funding solution in the coming budget cycle.