At the December Morrow County School District Board of Education meeting, Morrow County Assessor Mike Gorman reported that Amazon and Lamb Weston will make payments of more than $3.6 million toward the voter-approved 2025 school bond. The payment will go toward the 2025-2026 tax levy.
The payment is required under the companies’ Strategic Investment Program (SIP) and Enterprise Zone (EZ) agreements and reflects the commitment by Morrow County and the Columbia River Enterprise Zone Board to help reduce the cost of school and safety bonds for local taxpayers.
“These additional payments are a direct result of careful planning and strong partnerships between local governments and businesses for the best interest of our students,” said Matt Combe, superintendent of the Morrow County School District. “The payments significantly reduce the cost of the bond for residents while allowing us to deliver the school improvements voters approved. We’re grateful to have this support from Morrow County, Port of Morrow, and residents as we begin the design process.”
The Columbia River Enterprise Zone Board created an opportunity for school districts that pass new bond levies to receive additional funding through SIP and EZ agreements. Under this structure, companies receiving tax exemptions agree to make payments each year toward a newly approved bond levies if passed while they are exempt from standard tax payments.
Because of this structure, Amazon, Lamb Weston and other businesses operating in the SIP and EZ under the agreements are required to make payments toward the district’s bonded debt each year. There are agreements in place for a number of projects anticipated to begin construction in the near future which would also contribute toward the bonded debt.
The funds received by the district this year will be reflected in the 2026 property tax calculations, resulting in a reduced bond tax rate for residents. The rate is projected to continue to decrease year over year as new projects are completed in the EZ.
The bond measure will fund major school facility projects across the district, including safety and security improvements at all elementary schools and new and remodeled learning spaces. All bond funds are monitored through an independent Bond Oversight Committee, with additional community input provided through Design Advisory Committees in each project area. For more information about the 2025 bond projects and oversight, visit mcsdbond.org