District 21 to get big part of Google Pie with Community Service Fee Agreement
by Cole Goodwin and Tom Peterson
Welcome to Quick & Easy Wasco County Commission Preview
Get a sneak peek at the upcoming Wasco County Commission Meeting without reading through 159 pages of agenda and board packets.
The Wasco County Commissioners Meeting will hold their regularly scheduled meeting at 9 a.m. on April 20th, 2022.
Attend the meeting: Click here to join the zoom meeting at 9 a.m. on April 20th.
Watch the meeting: Watch Livestream here.
Read More: April 20th, 2022 Agenda & Board Packet.
Submit public comments: Your County, Your Voice.
On The Agenda:
Google in The Dalles.
District 21 to get big part of Google Pie with Community Service Fee Agreement
Wasco County Commissioners will consider approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with 11 different taxing districts to share Google community service fee dollars which comes to 25% of Google’s property tax savings with a maximum payment of $2.5 million annually.
From the proposed agreement, it appears Wasco County, The City of The Dalles and Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue have come to an understanding on how to split future Google Community Service Fees when and if two new data centers are built near the Port of The Dalles.
The agreement essentially provides a road map on how up to $37.5 million would be spent locally over the 20-year deal with Google for tax abatements on the new data centers.
The money will be split straight down the percentages of 11 different tax districts.
In addition to City, County and Fire, North Wasco County Parks and Recreation, Port of The Dalles, Wasco County 4-H and Extension, Wasco County Library, Wasco County Soil and Water and Wasco County will receive portions of the money.
But here’s the kicker.
The above taxing districts have also agreed to cut a piece of the pie for North Wasco County School District 21, Columbia Gorge Community College and Columbia Gorge Education Service District., which typically receive funding through the State’s general fund.
This could be a real boone for D21 which is dealing with aged schools that, arguably, need to be replaced. D21 will receive the lion's share of the fee at 30.1%.
The Dalles High School.
In past months, the City, County and Fire district were at odds about how the money should be broken up, as City and County officials were asking for 50 percent of the money to go toward greater good projects, such as parks or affordable housing, for instance.
However, that could not be agreed upon as the Fire District asked for enough money to add two more staff per shift to help cover increased demand for services. So, the greater good funding was removed from the agreement.
Involved entities will receive aportions of the service fee in the following percentages:
Wasco County 24.4%
City of The Dalles 17.3%
Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue 12.1%
Wasco County Library District 3.9%
North Wasco Parks & Recreation 3.9%
Wasco County 4H and Extension 1.4%
Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District 1.4%
Port of The Dalles 1.2%
North Wasco County School District 21 30.1%
Wasco County ESD 2.7%
Columbia Gorge Community College 1.6%
The intergovernmental agreement must also be approved by all other taxing districts in weeks to come. It will be in front of The Dalles City Council on April 25.
Background Information:
The City of The Dalles, Wasco County, and Google LLC entered into a SIP agreement in October of 2021 for the development of two new data center projects located on the former aluminum plant site. Under the agreement and State ORS, each project must pay a Community Service Fee each year a project receives an abatement that is equal to 25% of the taxing savings of that particular year and is capped at $2.5 million.
PowderPure Resolution
Commissioners will be asked to approve a resolution that would adjust minimum employment levels set forth in an Enterprise Zone Agreement between The County, The City of The Dalles, and with PowderPure, also known as Columbia Phyto Technology. PowderPure is currently required to maintain employment of 86 employees. However due to labor shortages related to the pandemic PowderPure has been operating with around 54 employees.
PowerPure will also give a presentation to Commissioners about the ways in which the pandemic, the labor shortage, and wage increases have affected the business.
Elections Modernization Grant
Commissioners will be asked to approve a State of Oregon Election Modernization Grant Agreement which will award the County $82,000 to assist the County in upgrading and adding election infrastructure. The funding can be used to add or upgrade tabulation scanners, mail sorters and elections equipment as needed. Is it not to be used for Automatic Signature Verification or ongoing costs like maintenance or support services.
Funds will be disbursed no later than July 15, 2022.
Columbia River Gorge Commission MOU
Wasco County Commissioners will be asked to approve a new memorandum of understanding between the county and the Columbia River Gorge Commission.
Child Care Providers Proclamation
Commissioners will be asked to proclaim May 6th, 2022 as Provider Appreciation Day in Wasco County and urge all citizens to recognize Child Care Providers for their important work.
Planning Commission Codes Compliance Program Update & Revision of Bylaws
Wasco County Planning will give a presentation on codes compliance. The County currently has twenty open cases. The Planning Commission also approved an update to their by-laws on April 5, 2022 and is seeking final approval of the bylaws from the County.
The main purpose of the bylaws update is to codify the current practice of rotating the Chair and Vice-Chair throughout the seven member commission year after year.
Other changes to the bylaws include:
The commission has also made additions to provide better transparency for what constitutes a quorum and how alternates can fill in for members as needed.
Improvements to reference or removing redundant text.
The Planning Commission has also proposed to remove a city representative from the PC Selection Committee due to continuity issues.
Public Works: Bridge Design Consulting Services Agreement, Noxious Weed Agreement
Commissioners will be asked to approve:
The Consulting Services Contract with Oregon Transportation Professionals to provide a scope of work and prepare funding applications for 15 load-limited bridges located in Wasco County. The proposed work is to provide design services and scoping reports to address issues for 15 load-limited bridges in Wasco County. The contract agreement is valued at $100,000. Under the Wasco County Public Contracting Rules, consultants may be directly appointed without an additional competitive selection process at this funding level. The limits are consistent with those required for ODOT for consultant contracts.
A Bonneville Power Administration Interagency Agreement #89497 for Noxious Weed Management to contract the BPA to provide all labor, materials, herbicides, fuel, transportation, and bio-agents to implement noxious weed management activities under their jurisdiction.
Enjoying our Quick and Easy Wasco County Commission Previews?
Please considersupporting us to keep the Wasco County public meeting previews coming!
Meet the Wasco County Commissioners: Steve Kramer, Scott Hege and Chair Kathy Schwartz
