Deschutes County commissioners delay decision on extending rural renewable energy enterprise zone

Deschutes County commissioners heard testimony and a technical briefing Wednesday on a proposal to extend the county's Rural Renewable Energy Development Zone and chose not to make a final decision, asking staff and EDCO to return with additional fiscal and valuation details.

The request to extend the zone, which was created by a 2014 county resolution and is set to expire June 30, 2026, would allow qualifying renewable-energy projects located outside urban growth boundaries to apply for a property-tax exemption for equipment placed on site. Patricia Lucas of EDCO presented the program mechanics and said the state would allow an extension that would move the zone's expiration to June 30, 2036 if the board approves.

County and EDCO officials told the board the program offers an initial 3-year property-tax exemption that can be extended by local agreement for up to 2 additional years (effectively a 3-to-5-year exemption for project improvements). Patricia Lucas said local governments with property-tax authority include the county, cities, school districts, hospitals, libraries and fire districts; the total market value of initial qualifying property in a zone cannot exceed $250,000,000 under…