Merritt City Councillor Clara Norgaard, who garnered more votes than anyone else in the 2011 municipal elections, was the biggest campaign spender.

Topping the list of highest spenders were Norgaard ($3,230), followed by Norm Brigden ($1,850), Mayor Susan Roline ($1,234), and Shelley Sanders ($1,042.), according to the financial statements released by the City of Merritt. Just prior to the election financial reporting deadline Monday, all but three candidates had filed.

All but two candidates received no campaign contributions. Brigden received $1,000 in camapign contributions while Norgaard received $30.

The lowest spenders were re-elected councillors Alastair Murdoch ($30) and Mike Goetz ($168) and candidate Harvey Keys ($130).

While there may be a correlation between Norgaard's spending and her high votes in the November election (1,238), the same doesn't apply to councillors Murdoch and Goetz, who received 917 and 945 votes respectively.

Most of the candidates' expenses went towards purchasing and distributing election signs, pamphlets, brochures, flyers, and towards media advertizing.