City of Sunnyside: Alleged violations of RCW 42.17A.555 for use of public facilities or resources for the purpose of supporting or opposing a candidate or ballot measure (EY24 NOV24)

Case

#161747

Respondent

City of Sunnyside

Complainant

Kenton Gartrell

Description

The complaint alleged City of Sunnyside officials violated RCW 42.17A.555 by misusing public facilities or resources to promote, directly or indirectly, a campaign for the election of any person to any office. The specific allegation includes the city’s Feb. 16, 2024, Facebook post of an invitation to city staff and the city council to attend the grand opening of the Chelsea Dimas for State Representative campaign office grand opening. 

In accordance with WAC 390-37-060(1)(d), PDC staff issued a formal written warning to the City of Sunnyside concerning the prohibition on the use of public agency facilities to promote, directly or indirectly, a campaign for election of any person to any office. 
In the future, the City of Sunnyside should closely scrutinize the use of public resources, including advertising on its social media sites and resources used for private events. The Commission will consider this formal written warning in deciding further Commission action if there are future violations of PDC laws and rules.  

Based on this information, the PDC finds that no further action is warranted and has dismissed this matter in accordance with RCW 42.17A.755(1). 

Disposition

Case Closed with Written Warning

Date Opened

November 05, 2024

Areas of Law

RCW 42.17A.555

Documents

• PDC Case 161747 City of Sunnyside officials closed with warning.pdf
• 161747 City of Sunnyside Complaint.pdf
• PDC Case 161747 City of Sunnyside response.pdf