PORT TOWNSEND — The City Council will not endorse Referendum 51, the $7.8 billion state transportation measure on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.

During a meeting Monday, a deeply divided council voted 3-3 to reject endorsement of the gas tax measure.

Council members Michelle Sandoval, Geoff Masci and Joe Finnie supported the measure.

Mayor Kees Kolff and Councilwomen Freida Fenn and Catharine Robinson voted against it.

Councilman Al Youse was absent from the meeting.

Under the referendum, about 70 percent of revenues generated from increased gas and other taxes would be spent in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.

But Sandoval said the plan would mean significant benefits for Port Townsend and Jefferson County as well.

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