County approves property tax breaks for latest Google plans

By Tom Peterson

An agreement to cut property taxes nearly in half for two new Google data centers jumped its first hurdle on Wednesday, Oct. 20, when Wasco County Commissioners unanimously approved it at their regular meeting at 2:25 p.m.

The agreement could abate some $147 million in property taxes during the 15-year terms. The agreement does, however, capture 50 percent and 60 percent of total property taxes - which is much more than past Google deals for data centers in The Port of The Dalles.

Google has stated that it is looking to invest $1.2 billion in developing the new data centers. 

Commissioner Steve Kramer made the motion to approve it.

Wasco County Commissioner Steve Kramer

“I echo Mayor Mays and Mr. Stones’ comments about the negotiation team,” he said. “A lot of hard work went into this.”

Commissioner Kathy Schwartz agreed and added that she had spent many hours working with County staff and members of the negotiation team in understanding the issues before casting her vote. She also thanked The Dalles Public Works Director David Anderson for his report on how the City would supply millions of gallons of water to Google on a daily basis.

“We talked about this for a really long time,” she said. “We met with multiple meetings and we have had a lot of opportunities to truly understand what is before us today.”

Commissioner Chair Scott Hege said the approval provided no guarantee that Google would build the plants. 

“Google has to decide to do this project,” he said. “This does not mean this will happen tomorrow… I hope that it happens soon and we move forward as they move forward.”

Hege then told The Dalles City Mayor Rich Mays the agreement was coming his way. 

City Councilors will be looking at the agreement and likely taking a vote on it on Monday, Oct. 25. 

If Council approves it, the agreement will then go to Oregon Business Development Department for approval. Google must also submit an application requesting the agreement. 

Oregon Business has 21 days to make a decision to approve or deny the applications. 

For more information about the agreement, read CCCNews’ story here.