2015 Safety and Justice background and history
2015 Safety and Justice background and history
TIMELINE:
- November – Benton County voters defeated a bond measure, for the third time in 15 years, to construct a new corrections facility. Based on feedback from the public during and after the 2015 bond campaign the Board of Commissioners requested a comprehensive study of the safety and justice system to evaluate the system from the first point of contact to return to our community.
2015 News
County won’t pursue Philomath property purchase – Nov. 5, 2015
After consultation with the Sheriff, the Benton County Board of Commissioners voted 3-0 on Thursday, Nov. 5, not to exercise the option to purchase the industrial property on 19th Street in Philomath.
That 16-acre piece of industrial property was being eyed by the County as the preferred site of a new jail. The bond measure to fund the new jail went on the November 2015 Special Election ballot and was rejected by voters. On the same day the Board of Commissioners voted to put the jail bond measure on the ballot, it also reached an agreement with the property owner for potential purchase of the land, contingent on the $25 million bond measure passing and other conditions.
The land – a former mill site – is zoned for heavy industrial use near the railroad tracks on 19th Street in Philomath. The $1.1 million purchase price for the property was to be covered with existing County funds, contingent upon the bond passing.
“Since the rejection of the jail bond, there is no pressing need to purchase the property in Philomath,” Benton County Commissioner Jay Dixon said. “We are going to take some time to evaluate the results of the election, analyze the situation and determine next steps for how to proceed regarding our local criminal justice system and meeting the needs of the community.”
Commissioners’ statement on unsuccessful bond – Nov. 4, 2015
The Benton County Board of Commissioners is disappointed, but has heard the voters’ decision to turn down Measure 2-91, which would have authorized the sale of bonds to construct a new jail in the County.
While we certainly had hoped for an expanded facility to end the jail bed rental program in other counties and provide greater treatment and educational opportunities to those who are incarcerated, we have heard through the campaign that we as a community need to address systemic issues that impact criminal justice. These include homelessness, poverty, mental health and addictions in the community and other aspects of people’s lives that can lead someone to commit an offense that leads to their incarceration.
We will continue working with Benton County organizations through our Health Department and with our community partners in the non-profit and health care sectors to address those issues, as we have all along. Our Sheriff’s Office will continue pursuing a sequential intercept model in partnership with the Health Department and community partners to address issues that lead to individuals’ incarceration. This model helps address people’s issues with housing and addiction and works to address those in an attempt to prevent incarceration.
Above all, we will continue doing the best we can with available financial resources and infrastructure limitations to continue operating our current jail and rental program as efficiently and effectively as possible.
There has not yet been a decision on when another bond measure for another jail might be on the ballot. At this point, we are planning to evaluate next steps and make a determination for how to proceed in the future.
Election results to be posted after 8 p.m. on Nov. 3 – Nov. 2, 2015
Benton County will be posting unofficial election results for the November 2015 Special Election online as soon as possible after 8 p.m. on Nov. 3.
This election includes a countywide ballot measure for a jail bond. Voters in the city of Philomath will be deciding on a property annexation into the city and voters in the Chinook Drive Road District will be voting on whether to renew a five-year operations local option tax.
Sometime after 8 p.m. on Election Day, unofficial election results will be available online at https://www.co.benton.or.us/elections/page/nov-3-2015-special-election-results-and-turnout. Results will be posted as soon as election workers and volunteers finish processing ballots and tallying results. The results, then, must be certified and are expected to become official in a few weeks.
For more information or assistance, those interested can contact the Benton County Elections Office, located in the Courthouse basement, 120 NW Fourth St., Room 13, in Corvallis by stopping by, calling 541-766-6756 or by email at elections@co.benton.or.us.
Election Day is coming up; don’t forget to vote – Oct. 29, 2015
Benton County is ramping up for Special Election Day, which occurs on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Unofficial election results will be posted after 8 p.m. on that day.
This election includes a countywide ballot measure for a jail bond. Voters in the city of Philomath will be deciding on a property annexation into the city and voters in the Chinook Drive Road District will be voting on whether to renew a five-year operations local option tax.
Deadline for Oregon voters to cast ballots on these contests and measures is 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Postmarks do not count toward meeting the 8 p.m. deadline. Ballots must be received in an Oregon elections office or official ballot drop box by the deadline. County officials highly recommend dropping ballots at one of the designated drop box locations instead of postal mail to ensure ballots arrive on time, because the election is only days away.
A list of the Benton County ballot drop sites is available online at https://www.co.benton.or.us/elections/page/nov-3-2015-special-election-ballot-dropsites. Voters’ pamphlets were mailed to each Benton County household and that publication also is available online at https://www.co.benton.or.us/elections/page/nov-3-2015-special-election-voters-pamphlet.
For more information or assistance, those interested can contact the Benton County Elections Office, located in the Courthouse basement, 120 NW Fourth St., Room 13, in Corvallis by stopping by, calling 541-766-6756 or by email at elections@co.benton.or.us.
Jail Documents – Oct. 15, 2015
Benton County officials have been asked about the cost comparison projections between the current and proposed jail facilities, as well as the location. Below, you will find documents with information on those topics.