Nearly 24% of a California city’s general fund comes from payments made by a refinery. That’s according to a response to a public records request made by Richmondside. Records show the Chevron refinery paid Richmond more than $58.8 million in taxes and settlement payments last year. Richmondside requested the information because the refinery is the city’s largest employer and single largest taxpayer and because it has disputed how much it should pay in taxes. Chevron executives have indicated that ceasing operations in California is possible due to state regulations they describe as unfriendly to refineries. If the Richmond refinery closed, it would greatly impact the city’s finances and its ability to provide services.
