Commission hears update on tax-foreclosed ethanol plant; Port of Morrow may acquire the assets

County counsel updated the board on a property in tax foreclosure described in the record as an experimental ethanol plant on leased land at the Port of Morrow (referred to in the transcript as 'Zia Cam'). Counsel said the county has a pending circuit court judgment and that, because the land is port-owned lease ground, the county would acquire the assets (buildings and equipment) but not the underlying land. "Right now it's about 1,100,000.0," counsel said when describing delinquent taxes.

Counsel explained statutory limits on foreclosing on leased port ground and said the port may be best placed to acquire the property and remit delinquent taxes to make all taxing districts whole. Commissioners discussed options, including short-term county financing to a buyer, but generally preferred the port acquiring the assets if the port is willing. Port representatives and interested parties have been in contact with county staff; the port planned to consider the matter at an upcoming meeting.

Why it matters: The county may become temporary owner of industrial buildings and equipment on leased port land if foreclosure proceeds; decisions about disposition affect tax-revenue distribution and potential industrial reuse. The potential transfer to the port could avoid county ownership responsibilities and create a pathway for redevelopment.

Next steps: County counsel will attend the port's meeting and answer questions; if the port agrees to acquire the assets and pay delinquent taxes, the county expects funds to be distributed to affected taxing districts. The matter remains in process; no sale or transfer was finalized in the meeting.