MONROE - Alderman-elect Michael Boyce filed a campaign financial report Wednesday because he exceeded the state's reporting thresholds for spending and receiving contributions in his bid to earn the Ward 3 seat on the Monroe Common Council in Tuesday's election.
Candidates are required by state statutes to file financial reports if they spend more than $1,000 for campaign expenses. They must also file a report if they receive more than $100 in contributions from any one source, other than the candidate to his or her own campaign.
Those reports indicate Boyce spent $3,537, received $250 in total contributions, and had an ending cash balance of $250.
Boyce said he immediately filed the report Wednesday with the city clerk's office after receiving a call from City Clerk Carol Stamm earlier that day. Stamm told him her office had received questions about whether his campaign had exceeded spending limits, Boyce said.
Boyce indicated on his registration papers that he did not anticipate exceeding those limits when he filed as a candidate for Ward 3 alderman Jan. 5.
Stamm said candidates have 10 days from the date of over-spending to amend their statements of exemption from filing reports.
Boyce's finance report shows his campaign spending reached more than $1,000 on March 8. He reported receiving contributions from two individuals, for $200 on March 26 and for $50 on April 3.
Finance reports for the period Feb. 2 through 22 were due March 29.
Boyce said it was a mistake on his part and that he misunderstood the spending and contribution limits.
"When I first filed, I was told if you spend over $1,000 of your own money, you did not have to file a report," he said Wednesday. He also believed contributions totaling under $1,000 were not reportable.
Boyce said he had no intention of seeking contributions and wanted to spend only his own money for the campaign.
"I never sought any contributions; these were unsolicited contributions," he said.
Mayor-elect Bill Ross filed an amended registration statement on April 2, in anticipation of exceeding spending limits. Ross has until July 20 to file his campaign finance report for the period March 23 through June 30.
Stamm said all other candidates who registered for the April 6 election claimed exemption from filing finance reports.
The city clerk's office is not required by law to track candidates' spending and contributions.
Candidates are required by state statutes to file financial reports if they spend more than $1,000 for campaign expenses. They must also file a report if they receive more than $100 in contributions from any one source, other than the candidate to his or her own campaign.
Those reports indicate Boyce spent $3,537, received $250 in total contributions, and had an ending cash balance of $250.
Boyce said he immediately filed the report Wednesday with the city clerk's office after receiving a call from City Clerk Carol Stamm earlier that day. Stamm told him her office had received questions about whether his campaign had exceeded spending limits, Boyce said.
Boyce indicated on his registration papers that he did not anticipate exceeding those limits when he filed as a candidate for Ward 3 alderman Jan. 5.
Stamm said candidates have 10 days from the date of over-spending to amend their statements of exemption from filing reports.
Boyce's finance report shows his campaign spending reached more than $1,000 on March 8. He reported receiving contributions from two individuals, for $200 on March 26 and for $50 on April 3.
Finance reports for the period Feb. 2 through 22 were due March 29.
Boyce said it was a mistake on his part and that he misunderstood the spending and contribution limits.
"When I first filed, I was told if you spend over $1,000 of your own money, you did not have to file a report," he said Wednesday. He also believed contributions totaling under $1,000 were not reportable.
Boyce said he had no intention of seeking contributions and wanted to spend only his own money for the campaign.
"I never sought any contributions; these were unsolicited contributions," he said.
Mayor-elect Bill Ross filed an amended registration statement on April 2, in anticipation of exceeding spending limits. Ross has until July 20 to file his campaign finance report for the period March 23 through June 30.
Stamm said all other candidates who registered for the April 6 election claimed exemption from filing finance reports.
The city clerk's office is not required by law to track candidates' spending and contributions.