County counsel reports tentative settlement with Union Pacific; commission to authorize signing after review

In a closed strategy session, county counsel reported an omnibus settlement in principle with Union Pacific concerning five years of centrally assessed property tax appeals.

Counsel said the parties had put the settlement terms on paper and that the county's net reduction across the five-year span appeared to be about $600,000, an amount counsel described as "less than 10%" of the assessed totals. Counsel requested permission from the commission to sign the settlement documents on the county's behalf.

Commissioners also discussed a separate centrally assessed case involving Pacific Corp. Counsel reported invoices for expert witness work had been received; the county's share of the costs was roughly $7,400. Commissioners directed counsel to secure a formal contract to document the payment rather than making a post-hoc payment without one.

What happens next: counsel will confirm the exact percentage figures by email and prepare formal documentation and contracts for commission approval and signature as required.