Residents press Washington County on enterprise‑zone agreements and data‑center tax abatements

During the town hall’s public‑comment period, multiple residents urged Washington County to examine enterprise‑zone agreements and tax outcomes tied to data‑center development.

Kimberly Sinclair, who identified herself as a Hillsboro city councilor and a Washington County resident speaking on her own behalf, asked whether the county — as a local co‑sponsor of an enterprise zone program — had signed any enterprise‑zone applications. Chair Catherine Harrington said the matter would be noted and staff would follow up because it was outside the primary scope of the night’s proposed budget presentation.

Resident Jody Weiser pressed the county to investigate franchise taxes as a revenue source and said, “The city of Hillsboro is collecting $61,000,000 this year in franchise and other related fees, mostly franchise fees.” Weiser also said recent enterprise zone agreements allow data centers large equipment abatements (an example cited in the comment: $2,500,000 abated) and encouraged staff to analyze community service agreements that return portions of exempted taxes to cities. The chair asked for Weiser’s materials and said staff had already begun looking at submitted information.

Jacob Roloff (online) asked what the county could do to “halt or annul the recent 18 enterprise zone agreements,” saying the agreements could reduce county revenue by tens or hundreds of millions. Harrington said staff would include the question in the FAQ and attempt to follow up with relevant details; she did not provide a legal remedy during the meeting.

County staff acknowledged receipt of the public concerns and asked residents to submit documentation to finance_budget@washingtoncountyor.gov so officials could investigate and post answers in the public FAQ. No formal county action or vote on enterprise zones occurred during the meeting; staff committed to follow‑up research and public response.