[Ord. #2007-21, 8-3-07]
Whereas, professional business entities are exempt from public
bidding requirements, and
Whereas, it has become common for professional business entities
to make substantial political contributions to the election campaigns
of the local government elected officers who are ultimately responsible
for awarding professional service contracts or other contracts or
agreements which are not subject to public bidding; and
Whereas, substantial local political contributions from professionals
receiving discretionary contracts from the elected officials who receive
such contributions raise reasonable concerns of the part of taxpayers
as to their trust in the process of local government, if not the quality
or cost of services received, and
Whereas, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A: 11-5 and N.J.S.A. 40:48-2,
municipalities have the right to establish rules and procedures for
contracting with professional business entities,
Now therefore, be it resolved, that the policy of the Township
of Cherry Hill will be to set maximum amounts professional business
entities may contribute politically beyond which they become ineligible
to receive a public professional service contract from the Township
of Cherry Hill.
[Ord. #2007-21, 8-3-07]
No contribution of money or any other thing of value, including
in-kind contributions, made by a professional business entity to any
municipal candidate for Mayor or Council, or municipal or county party
committee or PAC referenced in this section shall be deemed a violation
of this section, nor shall an agreement for property, goods, or services,
of any kind whatsoever, be disqualified thereby, if that contribution
was made by the professional business entity prior to the effective
date of this section.
[Ord. #2007-21, 8-3-07]
A professional business entity or Cherry Hill Township candidate or officeholder or municipal or County party committee or PAC referenced in this section may cure a violation of subsection
2-52.1 of this section, if, within thirty (30) days after the date on which the applicable ELEC Report is published, the professional business entity notifies the Township Council in writing and seeks and receives reimbursement of a contribution from the Township candidate or municipal or County political party or PAC referenced in this section.