The Mesa City Council recently voted on guidelines that prevent city officials or board members from using city resources or funds to influence the outcome of elections.
The guidelines were approved in a 6-0 vote of a consent agenda with other items on Feb. 26 and implemented into the Mesa ethics handbook. Vice Mayor Francisco Heredia, representing District 3, was absent.
“The proposed guidelines provide council and advisory board members further guidance and explanation regarding the state law prohibiting the use of city resources to influence the outcome of an election (A.R.S. § 9-500.14),” a council memo said. “Because the state law is not entirely clear, the guidelines are intended to help explain the scope of the law and provide a two-step analysis council and advisory board members can follow to help ensure compliance with the law and appropriate use of city resources.”
