The Issaquah City Council finally came to a decision Monday night on an issue that has been surfacing repeatedly in committee and council meetings for the past year: campaign-finance reform.

With a 5-1 vote, the council voted to approve the measure, which limits campaign contributions from a single party to $500 for mayoral and council races.

“We have limits for federal positions, for state positions, and it’s high time we had limits on local ones,” said Councilman Josh Schaer.

The bill has been championed by Councilmember John Rittenhouse, but has met opposition along the way.

Councilwoman Eileen Barber, who cast the dissenting vote, said the ordinance is excessive and came to light without an impetus. She also emphasized that the Washington state Public Disclosure Commission already monitors campaign contributions, and that everything is open for public review.

“This (ordinance) hasn’t outlined any concerns or problems that we’ve had in the past,” she said. “I think the oversight we have now is sufficient, and that this is an excess of regulation when there’s no identifiable issue before us.”

Schaer said that while he shares and understands many of Barber’s concerns, the intention of the bill is what is important.

“When it comes down to it, the individual who can raise the most money can reach the most voters,” he said. “Hopefully, this will create an equal playing field when it comes to contributions … and we always have the opportunity to make modifications.”

He also cited a fact Rittenhouse had pointed out at earlier meetings as troubling: that under the city’s system, it’s possible to donate more money to an individual running for city council than to someone running for president of the United States.

Under the new ordinance, if a candidate accepts money over the $500 cut-off, they could be fined the excess amount. It also provides a method of reporting indiscretions to the PDC.

“I’m amazed at the amount of time and effort that went into this, but I’m glad to maintain Issaquah’s long history of free and fair elections,” said Councilman Fred Butler. “We can finally pull together this controversial issue.”