Tie vote dooms Holladay campaign-contribution ordinance

HOLLADAY — A tied vote in the City Council doomed, at least for now, a proposed ordinance limiting campaign contributions.

The ordinance was originally written to limit contributions from individuals at $1,000 for council members and $3,000 for the mayoral seat. If it had been possible for the ordinance to have taken effect in time for the upcoming 2009 elections, Councilman Lynn Pace would have voted for it.

That would have brought the vote to passage.

However, since the filing period for those elections began Wednesday, Councilman Jim Palmer decided at the last minute to amend the resolution so it would take place in 2010.

Pace called the amendment "Augustine" and said he would have to vote against it.

"This is just like: Lord make me chaste, but not yet," said Pace, a city attorney for Utah's capital. "If we're going to do it, let's do it now."

Pace said he saw no legal reason not to make the resolution effective immediately.

Ultimately, the council tied 3-3 on the measure, with Patricia Pignanelli, Jim Palmer and Mayor Dennis Webb in favor. The motion died for lack of a majority.

— Rebecca Palmer