July 9, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Running For Office In Santa Monica To Cost $25:

Santa Monica City Council members approved an ordinance Tuesday requiring potential candidates for City office to pay a $25 filing fee.

The proposed ordinance, which also proposed a $300 charge for material preparations, was split into two portions, allowing Council members to vote separately on the $25 fee. No action was taken on the $300 preparation fee, meaning no such payment would be required for now.

Council member Kevin McKeown was the sole vote against the proposal.

During the council discussion, McKeown hoped to put off a decision on the proposed fees and instead work on creating an efficient system to determine whether candidates have actual grassroots support.

“We should have some sort of a qualification for candidates. We’ve had some situations … where people run just for the sake of running and really don’t intend to win or, more importantly, (have) any intent to serve the people of this community,” McKeown said.

McKeown suggested perhaps having candidates collect a nominal donation, perhaps $5, from a certain number of constituents as opposed to having a candidate merely write a check to pay an administrative fee.

The originally proposed ordinance sought to require those seeking to be a candidate in one of the City’s local races to pay $325 for nomination papers and the handling of candidate statements. All candidates running for City Council, Rent Control Board, Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District, and Santa Monica College Board would be subject to the $325 fee, if approved.

However, the sentiment on the dais was $300, which would be assessed for printing and handling of candidate statements, would be too cost prohibitive for some low-income candidates.

“If one person can pay, all that tells you is that person has money or that person is backed by somebody who has money,” McKeown stated. “It doesn’t tell you that candidate has any support, and it means the truly low-income people in this community will be unable to participate in our elections. That feels very wrong to me. To charge cash money just feels like the wrong thing for Santa Monica.”

Previously, anyone seeking to run for a city office did not have to pay a filing fee.

State law sets the filing fee at $25 for all municipalities; Council members voted 6 to 1 in favor of the $25 filing fee for future Santa Monica candidates.

The ordinance will return to the council for a second reading at its next meeting in July. If the ordinance survives the second reading, it will become law.

Also approved on first reading: an ordinance assessing a $27 burglary registration fee for owners of security alarm systems. Under the ordinance, a security system owner would be assessed a fine of $164.86 if an SMPD officer responds to a false alarm for a second time within a fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). The fee and fine would take effect July 1.

Previously, a fine was assessed on the third occurrence of a false alarm.

Both fees would be subject to an annual automatic Consumer Price Index, or CPI, increase.

City staff estimates the fine for second false alarms would generate $175,246 in annual revenue for Santa Monica, while the burglary alarm registration fee could result in a positive cash flow of $151,200 each year directed toward City Hall’s coffers.

in News
<>Related Posts

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

‘Adoptapalooza’ Pet Adoption Festival Returns to Main Street This Weekend

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The free, family-friendly event aims to connect adoptable animals with new owners Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center will host...

Virtual Town Hall to Discuss Proposed Resilient Rebuilding Authority

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The agency, to be run by political appointees, would manage permitting, development, zoning, and funding, modeled after post-disaster recoveries Los...

New Agenda Coaching: Changing Lives in LA

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Students Work Toward Applied Success with Executive Function Coaching Services The demands of daily routines and studies sometimes bear weight...

Saint Monica Prep Students Win Award for Anti-Street Racing PSA Video

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The winning public service announcement, titled “Not Worth It,” was highlighted in a post on X by @LADOTofficial  Students from...

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...

Free and Reduced Price School Meals Available for Eligible Families in Santa Monica-Malibu District

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Parents in Need Encouraged to Apply, SMMUSD Commits to Nutritious, Accessible Meals By Brandyi Phillips, SMMUSD Chief Communications Officer Santa...

Big Blue Bus to Raise Fares for First Time in Nearly a Decade

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The fare increase aims to offset rising costs for fuel, utilities, and supplies, according to the agency. The Santa Monica...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary to be Celebrated with Vibrant State of the City Event

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs, and picnics to enjoy during the performances Santa Monica will mark its...

Soprano Golda Zahra Returns to BroadStage For a One-Night-Only Musical Celebration

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hailed as “the rising star of the opera world” by The Hollywood Times, internationally acclaimed soprano Golda Zahra makes her much-anticipated return to BroadStage in...

(Video) Hundreds of Drones Light up the Sky for Palisades to Celebrate July 4th

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The Event Marked One of the First Large Gatherings Among Palisadians Since the January Wildfires. The Event Marked One of...

Transform Your Life: The Free Virtual ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT Debuts July 18-20, 2025

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT, a transformative three-day virtual event, is coming, July 18-20, 2025, offering participants worldwide a free opportunity...

Santa Monica Home Defies Convention: Architect Eric Owen Moss Debuts Shape-Shifting Design

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Pistachio-Colored Marvel Boasts Curving Walls, Sharp Angles, and Challenging Design A striking residence in Santa Monica is turning heads with...

Caitlyn Jenner’s Friend and Former Foundation CEO Dies in Malibu ATV Crash

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

ATV Plummeted 350 Feet After Rear-Ending Vehicle in Malibu Sophia Hutchins, former CEO of the Caitlyn Jenner Foundation and longtime...