Cob tax petition ruled as invalid

Herald and News Aug 11, 2004

A petition that seeks to ask voters whether the county can grant tax incentives to a proposed power plant has been ruled invalid by the Klamath County Clerk's office.

Klamath County Clerk Linda Smith, in discussion with the county's counsel and the county's district attorney, has ruled that an anti-Cob petition submitted by former Klamath County Commissioner Clif McMillan is unconstitutional because it addresses more than one item.

The petition asks voters whether the  Cob facility "should be denied property tax preference and other economic incentive and support from Klamath County."

McMillan said he has followed state statute and filed an appeal in Klamath County Circuit Court.  He said he disagrees with  Smith's interpretation that his petition would center around more than one issue.

I think it's pretty clear that subject is stopping the Cob," he said.  "I mean, we're talking about semantics."

McMillan said if he loses his court challenge, he'll just file a revised petition with the Klamath County clerk.

"My ultimate objective is pretty clear, and that is to allow the electorate a voice on whether Klamath County is going to expend any tax payer resources to support the Cob," he said.

by Brook Reinhard