Hillsboro leaders push for emergency session amid concerns over data center tax breaks

Hillsboro, Oregon, is experiencing a significant increase in data center development, prompting concerns over the city's economic incentives, specifically a 100% property tax break for up to five years offered through its Enterprise Zone. The State of Oregon has already implemented a hold on new data center applications, which is set to take effect in June. Despite a scheduled work session in June, some Hillsboro city councilors are urging an immediate emergency session to consider freezing pending data center applications. Councilor Sinclair emphasized the council's need to fully understand the situation and make decisions through public notice and recorded votes. Councilor Alivio Care supported the call for an emergency session, labeling the current process as "reckless" and highlighting concerns that local residents, including those in unincorporated areas, would bear the costs without proper consultation. The Mayor is currently preparing a response and stresses the importance of having all necessary data before an emergency session can be productive. To trigger an emergency work session, four out of the six city councilors and the mayor must agree, a consensus that has not yet been reached. The existing June 2nd meeting is scheduled just four days before the state's hold becomes active, leaving 17 recently submitted data center applications with time to be approved if they meet city standards.