PORT TOWNSEND — A complaint filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission by the Jefferson County Republican chairman alleges the county administrator has openly advocated a ballot proposition to raise the sales tax.
But County Administrator Philip Morley maintained Monday he is only sharing facts with members of the public and has not taken an advocacy position.
Proposition 1, which would raise the sales tax by 3 cents on every $10 retail purchase, is being voted on in today’s general election.
It would raise operating funds for both the financially strapped county and Port Townsend city governments.
County Republican Chairman Ron Gregory of Port Ludlow over the weekend filed the action against Morley, who has made several presentations to business and other groups that outlined what services will be funded by the proposed tax increase.
“I thought about this, and on Saturday I filed a complaint with the Political [sic] Disclosure Commission against Mr. Morley,” Gregory said during the public comment section of Monday’s weekly meeting of the Jefferson County commissioners, Morley’s bosses.
Morley said his appearances “presented the facts” and that he did not take an advocacy position for or against Proposition 1.
“My purpose was to tell people what will happen of the measure does not pass,” Morley said.
As a basis for his complaint, Gregory cited state law that prohibits elected officials and government employees from assisting a campaign for a candidate or a ballot measure through “the use of any of the facilities of a public office or agency, directly or indirectly.”
As part of his complaint, Gregory includes slides from Morley’s presentations as well as a Peninsula Daily News newspaper clipping.
Gregory said he filed the complaint as an individual and not as a Republican Party official.
“This has nothing to do with the Republican Party,” Gregory said.
“This is me, period.”
But he said many people view Democrats as supporting the measure and Republicans opposing it.
“It is a partisan issue,” Gregory said.
“For God sakes, the Democratic Party contributed $500, and all the courthouse Democrats gave money.”
No decision is expected before balloting in the election closes at 8 p.m. today. More than 50 percent of eligible voters had cast their ballots with the county Auditor’s Office by Monday.
The PDC has received the complaint and will most likely make a judgment on its merit by the end of this week, PDC spokesperson Lori Anderson said.
If merit is determined, it would come before the full state commission, which can assess penalties of up to $4,200, she said.
Morley — and not the county — would be responsible for any fines, she said.
“I don’t see my saying that the county is in financial trouble as advocacy. I see it as factual,” Morley said.
________
Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.