PORT TOWNSEND — The campaign to pass Proposition 1, which would benefit Jefferson County government programs by raising the county sales tax, is being mostly bankrolled by department heads and the county Democratic Party, which donated $500 to pass the countywide measure.
Proposition 1, which is on the Tuesday general election ballot, would increase the sales tax by 0.3 percent, to 8.7 percent, or by 3 cents on every $10 of non-food purchases.
Proceeds would be shared by the county and the city of Port Townsend.
County officials have contended the increase is needed to help cover a projected shortfall for 2011 that is now estimated at $1.1 million, up from a $900,000 estimate earlier this year because of expected reductions in timber revenue and investment income.
County officials also say that without the sale tax increase, cuts will be made to such county services as the sheriff’s department, animal control, community centers and programs for at-risk youth.
Many officials have put their own money behind the effort to pass the measure, according to a review of state Public Disclosure Commission records.
Of $2,529 in cash and in-kind contributions raised by the Yes on Proposition #1 Committee, $150 was donated by County Administrator Philip Morley, $140 by Public Works Director Frank Gifford, $135 by Democratic County Assessor Jack Westerman, and $100 each from Democratic Prosecuting Attorney Juelie Dalzell, Superior Court Clerk Ruth Gordon, and county Health and Human Services Director Jean Baldwin.
County Treasurer Judy Morris, a Republican, and her husband, Milt, also each donated $67.50.
Baldwin said there was no organized effort by department heads to donate to the cause.
Morley’s was the largest individual contribution to the pro-Proposition 1 effort and the second highest behind the county Democrats.
“I certainly stand behind that choice,” Morley said.
County Republican Central Committee Chairman Ron Gregory criticized Morley for making the contribution.
Gregory initially supplied the Peninsula Daily News with the list of pro-Proposition 1 contributors, a list that the PDN confirmed with the state.
The Republican Central Committee has voted unanimously against the measure’s approval.
“We have been against mismanagement of the budget for a long time,” Gregory said, suggesting the county should concentrate on generating revenue and promoting growth rather than seeking an increase in taxes.
“We thought the county administrator worked for the people, not necessarily to promote the sales tax,” Gregory added. “That was upsetting to a number of us.”
Gregory, claimed that Morley had advocated for the measure to county employees during work hours at the courthouse, which would violate state campaign laws.
He said he heard this from two “lower level” county employees he would not identify,
“He has First Amendment rights, but he should not be proselytizing inside of a government building with government people,” Gregory said.
Gregory said he would not file a complaint with the PDC because it is too late in the campaign season. Ballots in the election are due at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Morley denied the accusation, and called it hearsay.
He said he has held staff meetings to explain the role Proposition 1 would play in addressing the shortfall and what will happen if the measure doesn’t pass.
“I’ve said if the public votes for it, we will be able to reduce the cuts we otherwise need to make, and if it doesn’t pass, we have to identify the cuts we will be making.”
Morley also has presented that information to community groups.
He and other county staff members are prohibited from actually endorsing the measure.
Unlike their political opposites, the county’s Democratic Party leadership has rallied around the measure.
County commissioners Phil Johnson, David Sullivan and John Austin, a Democrat running for re-election against Republican Jim Boyer, each donated $100.
The commissioners, all of whom are Democrats, unanimously endorsed the measure.
In addition, Yes on Proposition #1 Committee Treasurer Deborah Pedersen, who donated $100 to the pro-Proposition 1 effort, also is co-chair of Jefferson County Democrats, while Teri Nomura, the Democrats’ recording secretary, donated $100.
There also were $289 in in-kind contributions, including $60 for copies from Jefferson County Democrats.
“Democrats believe Proposition 1 is critical for the future of our county,” party Chairman Matt Sircely said.
Johnson said he was unaware the other commissioners had donated to the measure’s campaign.
“The people who are really gaining off this initiative are the citizens of the county,” he said.
________
Senior Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-417-3536 or at paul.gottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
