The political action committee for the Taxpayers Association of Oregon is coming out against fluoridating Portland’s drinking water — so is it possible that conservative Nevada businessman Loren Parks is footing the bill?

The group’s leader won’t say.

Taxpayers’ director Jason Williams confirmed the group is against Portland’s fluoride measure and updated its campaign filings Thursday to reflect its opposition.

The group also has prepared a one-minute radio spot criticizing the projected $5 million cost of building a fluoride treatment plant and “unlimited access to your wallet.”

But the taxpayers’ PAC reported a balance Thursday that’s $6,700 in the red. And it hasn’t listed what fluoride proponents say is a $38,000 radio buy.

The pro-fluoride campaign also contends that the ad was placed by Gregg Clapper, a political consultant who handles media buys largely financed with Parks’ money.

Asked whether Parks, who owns a medical equipment manufacturing shop in Aloha, funded the effort, Williams said, “It’s going to be public when it’s public.” Messages left with Clapper on Thursday were not immediately returned.

Campaigns have seven days to report contributions from the date they were received.

Parks hasn’t personally given to a 2013 Oregon campaign, according to state records. But last year, he contributed $557,000 to various conservative causes, including $55,000 to the Taxpayers Association of Oregon’s PAC.

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