Contra Costa Cities Sue Over $18 Million Chevron Tax Refund
ANTIOCH (CBS SF) - Thirteen cities in Contra Costa County are suing the county over its $18 million tax refund to San Ramon-based Chevron Corp.
The cities, including Antioch and Walnut Creek, say they are wrongly being made to contribute to the refund. They contend they did not receive any of the $18 million in taxes the county assessed on Chevron's refinery in Richmond.
The county was forced to return that money after an assessment appeals board determined that it had over-assessed the refinery for the 2003-through-2006 tax years.
The cities say the $18 million mostly went to the City of Richmond.
County officials dispute that, saying it was divided between the cities and other entities, including fire, park and sanitary districts.
Ben Fay, an attorney for the cities, said at issue are two competing interpretations of a property tax law.
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