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Bend council adopts enterprise-zone resolution to enable extended abatements aimed at higher-wage jobs
Summary
Council adopted a resolution allowing extended enterprise-zone tax abatements (local implementation up to seven years as approved) designed to attract higher-wage jobs; staff said state law provides new flexibilities, including options up to 10 years, and noted program criteria and school support fees.
BEND — The Bend City Council on Monday voted to adopt a resolution enabling extended tax-abatement options for eligible firms in the Bend Enterprise Zone, a tool staff said could help recruit higher-wage jobs and align economic development with local housing and income goals.
City economic development officer Katie Brooks and business development manager Cyrus Mooney outlined recent legislative changes (House Bill 4084) that expand flexibility for enterprise-zone abatements. Staff described the extended option as one tool among others and said any extended agreement would come back to council for case-by-case approval.
"These extended enterprise zone agreements do have to be approved by council on a case by case basis," Mooney said, adding that the extended option comes with the same program requirements and the school support fee still applies.
Staff highlighted a wage threshold the extended option can target: Mooney said the extended exemptions can require new-hire salaries at or above 150% of the county average annual wage, "which equates to a little over $99,000 currently." He also noted state guidance that allows sponsors to consider 6–10 year options; council ultimately moved to adopt a resolution authorizing an extended abatement period as amended (the motion as put to the council authorized up to seven years in the adopted local resolution).
Councilors discussed program limits and safeguards: minimum capital-investment thresholds for the extended program (Mooney said $25 million for extended agreements), the school support fee that begins in year four and amounts to 15% of what school districts would otherwise receive, and an explicit moratorium on data centers as eligible uses until at least 90 days after the next legislative session.
Councilor Riley moved adoption of the resolution, Councilor Norris seconded, and the council voted to adopt the resolution as amended. Staff and council members said the change aligns with council goals to boost incomes locally while maintaining oversight through case-by-case approvals.
What's next: Staff will coordinate with EDCO and local partners to develop criteria for how Bend will evaluate extended abatements and will return with program details when specific proposals are considered by council.
