With the exception of Spencer Rands, one of the candidates, the final reports showed significant last-minute contributions to contenders from local political action committees, or PACs.

Candidates reported either donations or in-kind contributions from one or more of three local PACs in Orem — Stronger Orem PAC, Keep Orem Safe Prosperous and Kind PAC and Truth and Facts Matter PAC.

Jeff Lambson, Chris Killpack and Jenn Gale, who won the election this year, reported donations and in-kind contributions from Stronger Orem PAC during the final reporting period.

The candidates reported in-kind contributions from the group amounting to $23,756. In-kind contributions are non-monetary contributions of goods or services.

Each of the three winning candidates lists the same various in-kind contributions from Stronger Orem that occurred throughout the election cycle on the final report. Included in the report is a note stating the candidates did not “direct or control” the services provided and goods created by Stronger Orem but were directed by the Lieutenant Governor’s Office to include them on their reports.

According to the note, the “mailers, signs, etc.” produced by Stronger Orem “constitute goods and services that were coordinated with” the campaigns as defined by Utah law.

Utah’s election code defines “coordinated with” in relation to in-kind contributions as “goods or services provided for the benefit of a candidate” that are provided “with the candidate’s prior knowledge if the candidate does not object, by agreement with the candidate, in coordination with the candidate or using official logos, slogans and similar elements belonging to a candidate.”

Keith Wilson, treasurer for Stronger Orem, further clarified, stating, “We did not do any ‘coordinating’ in the usual sense of the word. They (Lambson, Gale and Killpack) knew about, benefited from and did not object.  Under Utah law, that constitutes coordinating.” For example, Wilson said, some mailers or signs used photos of Lambson, Gale and Killpack, which required their permission and led to those materials being considered “coordinated” under Utah law because candidates had prior knowledge.

In a text message on Friday, Lambson said they as candidates did not coordinate with Stronger Orem but his “understanding is that because we were benefitted by their mailings, we had to disclose it as an in-kind donation.”

Most of the money the candidates claimed as in-kind contributions are attributed to flyers or mailers produced by Stronger Orem.

Additionally, Lambson received a $1,139 donation from Stronger Orem, Gale received $4,942 and Killpack received $5,777. Each candidate also had in-kind contributions from the Utah Association of Realtors.

Expenditures at the end of the election for the three candidates mainly went to consulting services and marketing materials such as mailers.

Candidates Crystal Muhlestein and Matt McKell, neither successful in their council bids, reported donations from Keep Orem Safe Prosperous and Kind in their final financial filing.

Muhlestein received $52,000 from the group on Nov. 17 and McKell received $14,000 that was deposited on Nov. 27. McKell also received $21,042 from Truth and Facts Matter on Nov. 21, Election Day.

Expenditures toward the end of the campaign for both candidates mostly went to consulting and advertising services.

According to financial disclosures for each PAC, most of the groups’ money came from contributions from Todd Pedersen, the founder of Vivint.

Truth and Facts Matter only received one donation during the election, a $30,000 contribution from Pedersen. Keep Orem Safe Prosperous and Kind received $125,000 from Pedersen throughout the election.

According to state law, all candidates must complete a final contribution report 30 days after the election, even if their campaign was unsuccessful. Candidates also completed three other disclosures throughout the campaign — seven days before the primary election and 28 days and seven days before the general election.

Gale, Killpack and Lambson will be sworn into the City Council at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Orem Library Hall.