Frequently Asked Questions About Running for Norco City Council

How much does it cost to run for Norco City Council?

• The cost to run for City Council ranges:
  • Nomination Papers: Prospective candidates are required to pay a non-refundable $25 fee to the City of Norco when nomination papers and the Candidate Handbook are issued.
  • Candidate Statement: Candidates are able to submit a candidate statement to be placed in the official voter guide, which is produced and distributed by the Riverside County Registrar of Voters. The print + electronic version costs $600, and the electronic only version costs $260.
  • Campaign Promotion: Campaign promotion is the responsibility of the candidate and cost information is not provided by the City of Norco.

In addition to attending two regular meetings per month, what other responsibilities do Norco City Council Members have?

• On average, City Council Members dedicate at least 30 hours per week toward their responsibilities, which may increase based on their amount of assigned commitments. Responsibilities include:
  • Attending regular, special, workshop and closed session meetings
  • Attending regional board and partner agency meetings
  • Attending community meetings and events
  • Attending City-sponsored events and community outreach events
  • Reviewing agendas, minutes and staff reports
  • Reviewing legal contracts, agreements and real estate documents
  • Reviewing ordinances, resolutions, policies and procedures
  • Reviewing the Norco Municipal Code, General Plan Elements, Specific Plans and Zoning Code
  • Reviewing budgets, financial reports and strategic planning documents
  • Reviewing plans, permits and construction exhibits
  • Corresponding with residents, current and prospective businesses, elected officials, staff members and other stakeholders via email, phone and in-person communication
• Please note, Norco City Council Members may be required to travel for specific commitments and meetings, which could include traveling throughout the City of Norco, County of Riverside and the State of California.

Do Norco City Council Members manage their own commitments?

• Yes, City Council Members manage their own commitments, including their schedules, travel arrangements and correspondence with constituents. The City of Norco does not employ a dedicated employee (i.e., assistant) to manage City Council Members’ commitments.

Are Norco City Council Members paid?

• Yes, City Council Members are paid $550 per month, which is taxable income.

How do I learn how to run for Norco City Council?

• To learn more about the City of Norco’s local election process, including the regulations, deadlines and required legal paperwork, expand the following sections on this webpage or contact the City Clerk’s Office at (951) 270-5623 or cityclerk@ci.norco.ca.us.

City Council Duties & Responsibilities: The City of Norco is a Charter City operating with a City Council/City Manager form of government. The City Council makes all policy decisions and adopts laws for the City of Norco. In addition, the City Council oversees expenditures, adopts the City budget, represents the City on regional boards/agencies, appoints the City Manager and City Attorney, meets with community members and provides a voice for residents.

On average, City Council Members dedicate at least 30 hours per week toward their responsibilities, which may increase based on their amount of assigned commitments. Responsibilities include: 

• Attending regular, special, workshop and closed session meetings
• Attending regional board and partner agency meetings
• Attending community meetings and events
• Attending City-sponsored events and community outreach events
• Reviewing agendas, minutes and staff reports
• Reviewing legal contracts, agreements and real estate documents
• Reviewing ordinances, resolutions, policies and procedures
• Reviewing the Norco Municipal Code, General Plan Elements, Specific Plans and Zoning Code
• Reviewing budgets, financial reports and strategic planning documents
• Reviewing plans, permits and construction exhibits
• Corresponding with residents, current and prospective businesses, elected officials, staff members and other stakeholders via email, phone and in-person communication

Meeting Schedule: The Norco City Council meets at least twice a month on the first and third Wednesday of at 6 p.m. City Council Members are also appointed to represent the City on various regional boards/agencies and may be required to travel for specific commitments and meetings, which could include traveling throughout the City of Norco, County of Riverside and the State of California.

Role of the Mayor: Each December, the City Council selects a Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem from among its members to serve one-year terms. The Mayor represents the City at community functions, acts as a liaison with community and other government agencies, and serves as the presiding officer at City Council meetings. The Mayor Pro Tem acts as Mayor in the absence or unavailability of the Mayor. (Norco Municipal Code 2.04)

City Council Benefits: Council Members’ compensation is $550 per month. Compensation and benefits are outlined in the City of Norco Municipal Code 2.06 “City Council Salaries” and City of Norco Resolution 2011-28.

When do newly elected Council Members take office? The Oath of Office is administered by the City Clerk at the City Reorganization meeting, traditionally held at the first meeting in December following the election.

Any member of the public who meets the following requirements may run for public office in the City of Norco. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age, a citizen of the United States, and be a registered voter in the City of Norco at the time the nomination papers are issued.

Cost: The cost to run for City Council ranges:

• • Nomination Papers: Prospective candidates are required to pay a non-refundable $25 fee to the City of Norco when nomination papers and the Candidate Handbook are issued.
  • Candidate Statement: Candidates are able to submit a candidate statement to be placed in the official voter guide, which is produced and distributed by the Riverside County Registrar of Voters. The print + electronic version costs $600, and the electronic only version costs $260.
  • Campaign Promotion: Campaign promotion is the responsibility of the candidate and cost information is not provided by the City of Norco.

Form 501: In order to become a candidate, the first step in the process is to file a Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Form 501: Candidate Intention Statement. File Form 501 with the City Clerk before receiving or spending funds. Form 501 can be filed with the City Clerk prior to the official Nomination Period. Each candidate must file an original Form 501 with the City Clerk. The only exception is if no funds are raised and the only expenditure made is from personal funds for a candidate's statement. Candidates must file the Form 501 before receiving or spending monies or opening a bank account. Candidates who receive any monetary contributions from others, or contribute $2,000 or more in personal funds to their campaigns (candidate statement not included), must still open a campaign bank account. The form may be obtained from the City Clerk or from FPPC’s website at www.fppc.ca.gov.

Form 410: The next step in the process is to file FPPC Form 410: Statement of Organization and a $50 filing fee with the Secretary of State in order to establish your campaign committee. Submit a copy of the filed form to the City Clerk. Candidates and committees who receive any monetary contributions from others, or contribute $2,000 or more in personal funds to their campaigns must file an original Form 410 with the Secretary of State's Office and a copy with the City Clerk. Upon receipt of Form 410, the Secretary of State will issue an identification number, which will allow candidates and committees to open a campaign bank account and can be used throughout your campaign. Form 410 can be filed with the Secretary of State prior to the official Nomination Period. Upon receiving your campaign committee identification number from the Secretary of State (Form 410 filing), open a bank account for your campaign committee. All money used for campaign purposes, including money from the candidate’s personal funds, must be deposited in the campaign bank account prior to the expenditure. The only exception is the filing fee and candidate statement deposit. The form may be obtained from the City Clerk or from FPPC’s website at www.fppc.ca.gov.

It is important to become acquainted with the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), which is a non-partisan commission primarily responsible for administering the Political Reform Act which regulates campaign financing, conflicts of interest, lobbying, and governmental ethics. Its mission is “to promote the integrity of State and local government in California through fair, impartial interpretation and enforcement of political campaign, lobbying and conflict of interest laws.”

Managing campaign funds is an important undertaking for candidates. Read the FPPC Campaign Disclosure Manual 2: Information for Local Candidates, Their Controlled Committees, and Primarily Formed Committees for Local Candidates. This manual provides information on campaign disclosure rules as required under the Political Reform Act, as well as directions for filling out FPPC forms. If you have any questions, contact the FPPC directly at 1 (866) 275-3772.

Prospective candidates may “pull” and file their paperwork to officially run for City Council during the Nomination Period. During the Nomination Period, prospective candidates may take out and file nomination papers with the City Clerk by appointment during business hours. Norco City Hall, City Clerk's Office, is open Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., and is closed on Fridays.

The City Clerk will issue your Nomination Paper and Candidate Packet during the Nomination Period. The process to issue nomination papers takes approximately 30 minutes and is by appointment only. To schedule your appointment, contact the City Clerk's Office at (951) 270-5623 or cityclerk@ci.norco.ca.us.

Please note, you must be a registered voter in the City of Norco at the time the nomination papers are issued. A filing fee of $25 is paid to the City of Norco when nomination papers are pulled. Pursuant to California Elections Code Section 10220, qualified candidates may be issued and file nomination papers during the nomination period. Candidates are nominated by no less than 20 registered voters of the City of Norco. At the time nomination papers are issued, the City Clerk’s Office will provide candidates a nomination packet and fully explain all applicable requirements. 

Campaign promotion is the responsibility of the candidate and cost information is not provided by the City of Norco.