The state’s Fair Political Practices Commission is investigating allegations that the city improperly used taxpayer funds to campaign for Long Beach’s Measure M ballot initiative.

The FPPC launched the investigation in response to a complaint filed this month by four Measure M opponents—former City Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, Diana Lejins, Tom Stout and Joe Weinstein.

Among the allegations, the complaint said the city used taxpayer resources to send out mailers that were in fact campaign pieces for Measure M.

Mayor Robert Garcia, Vice Mayor Rex Richardson and Councilmembers Dee and Suzie Price were specifically named in the complaint for allegedly violating the Political Reform Act by using city computers and cellphones to send emails, texts and tweets to voters.

The FPCC in a letter on July 24 said it found insufficient evidence to investigate Garcia, Andrews and Richardson, leaving Price as the lone city official under investigation.

Price, who represents the city’s Third District in the Belmont Shore area, could not immediately be reached for comment.

FPPC spokesman Jay Wierenga said penalties for violating the Political Reform Act range from a warning letter to fines of up to $5,000 per violation.

Passed by voters last month, Measure M is a charter amendment that allows the city to transfer up to 12 percent of annual revenue from water, sewer, and gas utilities to the general fund.

The ballot measure came following a lawsuit settlement over the longtime practice.