City attorney reviews campaign rules for employees, elected officials; residents raise concerns about early signage

City Attorney Lynn Pace briefed the Sandy City Council on April 1 about legal boundaries for political activity by city employees and elected officials, summarizing restrictions on the use of city equipment, staff time and public funds during an election season and responding to questions about the city’s voluntary fair-campaign pledge.

Pace said Utah law bars use of city equipment or property for campaign purposes and advised city employees and candidates not to use city computers, phones, email, offices or staff for campaign work. “If you’re running for office, don’t use any city equipment, and don’t use any city office space, and don’t use any city employees,” he said.

He also described a recently enacted state law (house bill 551) that prohibits certain mass communications within 60 days of a primary or…