Group sues Chico over proposed tax hike

A group calling itself Chicoans Against Financial Mismanagement is suing the city of Chico for its recently approved Measure H ballot item that would raise the sales tax by 1% within city limits.

The group filed the lawsuit against both the city as a municipal corporation and City Clerk Debbie Presson in her capacity as the elections official.

Along with the group, which is listed as an unincorporated non-profit association, former Chico Mayor Karl Ory is listed as a petitioner.

According to the verified petition, Ory initiated a ballot argument against Measure H on Aug. 19 which Presson responded to on the same day saying Ory’s argument was not accepted for publishing in the sample ballot.

“Elections Code Section 9287 outlines which argument can be chosen for printing by the Election Official if two or more arguments are submitted in favor of or against a measure,” Presson responded. “The criteria I used for selection is set forth in E.C. Section 9282 which states: ‘The legislative body, or any member or members of the legislative body authorized by that body or any individual voter who is eligible to vote on the measure or bona fide association of citizens, or any combination of voters and associations, may file a written argument for or against any city measure.’”

The arguments made by the petitioners include claims that the city has mismanaged funds and cites the hiring of new City Manager Mark Sorensen and the recent Warren v. Chico litigation costs.

Additionally, Exhibit A in the document says the city should have put a sunset clause in the ballot measure.

Official statements from the plaintiffs, as well as the recipients, have not been made as of 5 p.m. Friday and this newspaper has not received responses. More information will be provided at a later date.