Board sets West Eugene enterprise‑zone school support fee at 15% for extended abatements

The Lane County Board of Commissioners voted April 1 to set a 15 percent school support fee for businesses that use the extended five‑year property tax abatement within the West Eugene Enterprise Zone, delegating authority to the county administrator to sign agreements with Eugene School District 4J, Bethel School District and the City of Eugene.

County staff explained the change follows a 2023 Oregon legislative update requiring a portion of the tax savings in years four and five of extended abatements be paid directly to affected school districts. The statute sets a floor of 15 percent and a ceiling of 30 percent; staff and the affected school districts recommended the statutory minimum.

Samantha Roberts, the county’s community and economic development analyst, briefed the board on the West Eugene zone, noting it was established in 1987, last redesignated in February 2017 and is up for redesignation in 2027. Roberts told the board the zone has supported about 94 businesses, nearly $3 billion in qualifying investments and roughly 1,000 jobs since inception; the zone also includes a competitive e‑commerce overlay added at the 2017 redesignation.

Roberts said the 15 percent fee will not increase net dollars available to schools statewide; rather, the fee redirects a share of local tax savings and is offset within the state school funding formula. Eugene 4J and Bethel school boards had recommended the 15 percent rate and the City of Eugene also supported that number. Commissioners approved Board Order 25040108 on a 4–0 vote with Commissioner Buck excused.