Board forms SIP workgroup to lead Strategic Investment Program negotiations with Port of Morrow

Morrow County Board of Commissioners · March 31, 2026

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Summary

The board appointed a three‑person workgroup (Commissioner Wenholtz, Administrator Jensen and County Assessor Mike Gorman) to represent the county in Strategic Investment Program discussions and to draft IGA language and negotiation ground rules with the Port of Morrow.

Commissioners discussed how the county should approach Strategic Investment Program (SIP) agreements and whether to lead negotiations while involving the Port of Morrow. Commissioners emphasized that the county should generally lead negotiations but include the port at the table, particularly when projects involve port‑owned property or significant port utilities.

The board moved to appoint a workgroup composed of Commissioner Wenholtz, Administrator Jensen and County Assessor Mike Gorman to develop draft language and negotiation guidelines for SIP agreements. Commissioners said the group should prepare an IGA or draft structure that clarifies the county’s lead role while creating predictable ground rules to reduce veto risks at the port level.

Next steps: The workgroup will meet with port and staff representatives, draft IGA language consistent with the board’s direction and return to both governing bodies for review.