2023 Safety and Justice history and background

TIMELINE:

January – Bond Measure package finalized
February – Safety and Justice open house event
May – Proposed Bond Measure is placed on the ballot & Bond Measure fails
June – Benton County breaks ground for new crisis center
August – Justice System Improvement Program post-election survey opens

May 2023 Bond Measure

PROPOSED MEASURE 2-140 BONDS FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY, MENTAL HEALTH, HOMELESSNESS SERVICES FACILITIES

The Benton County Board of Commissioners has referred a bond measure that, if passed, would fund the construction of facilities that would provide community safety, mental health and homelessness services.

The proposed facilities selected for the May 2023 bond were determined through a multi-year, community-involved planning process and are intended to improve access to mental health services and community-based supports for all residents, and to provide adequate space for emergency and law enforcement services, improved accountability, and treatment programs for adults in custody.

View the May 16, 2023 Voters’ Pamphlet

View the educational slide presentation

If the bond measure passes, the bond levy rate would be an estimated $0.55 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The cost would be an estimated $142 per year for a Benton County home with a median tax-assessed value of $258,596.

Actual levy rate may differ due to changes in interest rates and assessed value. If the bond does not pass, the proposed facilities would not be built, and property taxes would not increase.

If passed, a public Bond Oversight Committee would provide accountability and review of audits of bond projects and expenditures.

If passed, Measure 2-140 would fund the following projects:

A co-located Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Operations Center to improve coordination during major events and natural disasters, and to improve emergency response.
A new correctional facility with increased capacity (up to 120 beds) and dedicated areas to provide mental health and addiction services.
Expanded and redesigned spaces for the Children and Family Program mental health services for youth and families.
Funding for homelessness services facilities, with a preferred option of a homelessness services housing and navigation center, in partnership with Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center, to help people build pathways out of homelessness. Benton County has requested state funds to complete the project.

Fast Facts About Proposed Projects

View the proposed bond overview
View the proposed Community Safety projects overview
View the proposed Mental Health Services project overview
View the proposed Homelessness Services Facility project overview

Proposed Allocation

Correctional facility	$64.3 M
Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Operations Center	$40.4 M
Expanded Youth Mental Health Facilities	$1.5 M
Funding for Homelessness Navigation Center	$3 M
Bond issuance costs	$800,000
Total	$110 M

2023 News

Justice System Improvement Program post-election survey open until September 1 – Aug. 7, 2023

*** This survey has been extended until Sept. 10, 2023***

Following the May 16, 2023, Special Election, Benton County is seeking feedback from voters about bond measure 2-140, Bonds for Community Safety, Mental Health, and Homelessness Services Facilities.

Benton County is committed to listening and learning from the many perspectives in our community as we continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of those we serve. Survey responses are anonymous and will be compiled into a report and shared with Benton County leaders later this fall.

Take the survey

Questions may be directed to pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

Budget update provided on Benton County Courthouse project, timeline extended – July 5, 2023

The County’s design plans for a Benton County Courthouse and District Attorney’s office located at the new Community Safety and Justice Campus have been delayed, requiring changes in cost estimates and anticipated start of construction. The Benton County Commissioners received a report on the project during the July 5 Board of Commissioners meeting at the Kalapuya Building in Corvallis.

“This update is to offer a transparent opportunity for discussion of the nature of the delay and expected costs,” said Chief Financial Officer, Rick Crager. “Now that the County’s bond sale is complete and the legislative session has adjourned, we have a clear picture of our resources and the budget for this project. We will need to continue discussions with the Oregon Justice Department staff to bring the design into alignment with required standards and the funds available.”

Last March, the estimated cost was $50 million for a 35,682 square foot courthouse. The courthouse is operated by the State of Oregon. Half of the cost would be funded through an Oregon Justice Department matching grant and half funded through County borrowing.

In addition, approximately 9,000 square feet for the County operated District Attorney’s Office was originally planned to be funded through County borrowing of $8 million.

Today’s report to the Board of Commissioners provides updated costs and options to move forward.

The original cost estimate that included the 35,682 square feet identified for the courts and 9,000 square feet for the District Attorney’s office. To meet budget requirements, the design for the District Attorney’s office has been reduced from 9,000 to 8,000 square feet. OJD representatives have requested a design with 37,500 square feet, which is the programmatic square footage initially developed by the architect and OJD, increasing costs by an estimated $4.5 million.

County staff recommended proceeding with the project and continuing negotiations with OJD representatives to reduce the square footage for the courts and bring costs in alignment with available funds. The Board of Commissioners supported that option. With this decision, total direct construction costs would be managed to meet the original $50 million project estimate, but the construction timeline will shift to a Spring 2024 start date.

The historic Benton County Courthouse, built in 1888, is the oldest courthouse in Oregon currently being used for its original and intended purpose. Though structurally sound, the 27,000 square foot building would not withstand a major earthquake.

According to the Public Works Director and Project Manager, Gary Stockhoff, it’s important to continue to move the project forward.

“Our financial planning for this project is sound and we have been very thoughtful about contingency funding with input from OTAK, our contracted project manager,” said Stockhoff. “Continuing on this path will provide $31.2 million of state resources for a new courthouse which would not be available if we chose to renovate an existing facility. We are committed to working closely with Oregon Justice Department staff to complete the new courthouse that meets the needs of modern courthouse operations including ADA-compliance, security features, and separate circulation paths for the public, staff, and in-custody defendants, as well as a jury assembly area.”

Benton County breaks ground for new crisis center – June 14, 2023

The Benton County Commissioners were joined by nearly 60 dignitaries and invited guests at an event to break ground on the new Benton County Crisis Center at the site of the new facility at 240 NW 4th Street, in Corvallis. The Benton County Crisis Center is a voluntary walk-in treatment-centered facility that provides stabilization for individuals experiencing mental health crisis, along with referrals and support for ongoing behavioral health services.

The project is financed with $7.7 million in state and federal funding, which includes a two-story, 8,000 square foot building on Benton County-owned property. Benton County Health Department secured $5.45 million for the project from the Oregon state general fund through House Bill 5202. Oregon Representative Dan Rayfield helped secure $1.25 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds for the project, and U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio, along with U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkely, helped secure $1 million from a federal appropriations bill. Gerding Builders, a Corvallis-based company is the Design-build contractor for the project. Gerding Builders has worked closely with Mahlum Architects to ensure that the design meets Benton County’s goals, budget and design to meet the unique needs of Benton County residents.

“The Crisis Center will provide immediate assistance and support to individuals experiencing mental health crises,” shared Benton County Behavioral Health Director Damien Sands. “It will be a safe and non-judgmental environment where people can seek help when they need it most. This prompt intervention can prevent situations from escalating and potentially save lives. The facility will be staffed to handle various mental health crises, including suicidal ideation, severe anxiety or depression, substance abuse emergencies, and psychosis. We will have trained professionals who can assess the situation, provide appropriate interventions, and stabilize individuals in crisis.”

The crisis center will be staffed by the Benton County Health Department’s behavioral health crisis team and is an expansion of existing mental health crisis services offered by the County. Services will include 24/7 walk-in and mobile crisis services, 5-7 stabilization recliners, and 5-7 respite beds. With construction starting in June of 2023, the facility is expected to open in the summer of 2024.

The crisis center is a project of Benton County’s Justice System Improvement Program (JSIP), a multi-year effort to improve outcomes in our communities. Addressing mental health needs is a primary focus of JSIP’s vision for enhanced County programs and facilities. The crisis center may serve as a resource on calls to law enforcement that involve a mental health concern.

Crisis services are currently available from Benton County Health Department’s mental health crisis team by calling the Benton County Crisis Line at 1-888-232-7192. Benton County Health Department also offers walk-in mental health crisis counseling services for all ages. No appointment is needed. Simply stop at the front desk and ask “to see the Counselor of the Day”. The services are currently located at 557 NW Monroe Avenue, Corvallis, OR, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

View a video and/or photos taken at the groundbreaking ceremony. Learn more about the crisis center at https://bit.ly/BentonCoGov-CrisisCenter

Bond Measure 2-140 result – May 19, 2023

The unofficial vote count shows that Measure 2-140 will not pass. The County remains committed to addressing core issues of community safety, mental health, and homelessness. In the coming days, Benton County leaders will work to assess and understand why the measure was not approved.

Despite the unsuccessful outcome, we are fortunate to have funds in place to proceed with the construction of our new courthouse and District Attorney’s offices. These new facilities will not only ensure the safety of our staff in the face of seismic events but also provide much-needed additional space.

While this marks the fourth time over a thirty-year period that a bond measure for new facilities has not passed, this setback will not deter us from continuing to advocate for essential projects that benefit our community as a whole.

While the bond measure’s defeat presents challenges, we firmly believe that it also represents an opportunity for us to regroup, reassess, and strategize new approaches. We will continue to engage with community stakeholders, political leaders, and other partners to rally support for crucial endeavors.

The Board of Commissioners and County staff will begin conversations with community stakeholders to develop consensus-based approaches for reinvesting in our core facilities. We’d love to hear your thoughts about why you voted for or against the bond measure. You can provide feedback that will be collected to share with the Benton County Board of Commissioners by posting on our social media channels or emailing pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

Benton County Health celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month with Crisis Center update – May 1, 2023

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Benton County is celebrating with a major milestone toward completing the Benton County Crisis Center.

The Benton County Crisis Center will be a voluntary walk-in treatment-centered facility which provides stabilization for those experiencing a mental health crisis, along with referrals and support for ongoing services. The crisis center is also a project of Benton County’s Justice System Improvement Program (JSIP), a multi-year effort to improve outcomes in our communities.

Benton County, along with Gerding Builders and Mahlum Architects, worked on the design for the crisis center with local partners like Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Intercommunity Health Network, Oregon State University, and the Corvallis Police Department as part of a design committee, which also included local non-profit organizations.

“We want to thank our community partners for their participation in the design process,” said Ricky Garcia, project manager for the Benton County Crisis Center. “This has been a collaborative effort to ensure we are meeting the needs of our community and we are really happy with the final design.”

Community members can see renderings of the design at: bit.ly/BentonCoGov-CrisisCenter.

Now that the design of the new Benton County Crisis Center is complete, the construction team has started the permitting process, with services expected to begin in the summer of 2024.

“We recently received notice that the lot consolidation was approved, which is a key milestone in the permitting process, said Benton County Public Works Director, Gary Stockhoff. “We expect to begin onsite work later this spring.”

As the Benton County Health Department waits for completion of the new crisis center, the Behavioral Health team is working on policies and procedures for the new site and fine tuning their staffing model to prepare for the increased staffing need.

“We are hiring mental health crisis professionals now,” Crisis Manager, Eric Bowling said. Find more information about open positions at: co.benton.or.us/hr/page/careers.

While the crisis center won’t be operational until next summer, community members can access crisis services now at 557 NW Monroe Ave. in Corvallis, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The community can also call the 24-hour crisis hotline at 1-888-232-7192. Visit bit.ly/BentonCoGov-MentalHealthCrisisSupport to learn more.

Learn more about Justice System Improvement Program and Measure 2-140 – Apr. 25, 2023

Benton County has been collaborating with the City of Corvallis to inform the city about the Justice System Improvement Program and Measure 2-140, including details about the cost assumptions and allocations, the proposed investment in a homelessness navigation center, and effort to provide opportunities for public engagement and transparency throughout the planning process. The learn more read this letter to the Corvallis City Manager.

Benton County Crisis Services relocate – Apr. 6, 2023

Benton County Mental Health Crisis Services will relocate to the Benton County Humphrey Hoyer Building at 557 NW Monroe Avenue in Corvallis on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. Services at their current location on 530 NW 27 Street will end on Tuesday, April 25, at 5:00 p.m.

The Crisis Services program has been providing walk-in crisis counseling services at the Benton County Health Services Building for over a decade. This service means that anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can show up between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and ask to “see the Counselor of the Day,” who is available to provide same-day crisis counseling services. These services will now be available in the new location near the downtown Corvallis transit center, until the program can move into its permanent home at the future Benton County Crisis Center.

“The Humphrey Hoyer building is right next to the downtown bus station and library, which means easier access for clients,” said Eric Bowling, Benton County Crisis Manager. “The temporary move will make a good home until we can move into the future crisis center where we can expand our services even further.”

Benton County is working to build a new crisis center, to be located at 240 NW 4th Street in downtown Corvallis. The project recently moved out of the design phase and into the permitting process. Benton County expects the new building to open for services in summer 2024.

The future Crisis Center will add crisis stabilization and respite services, as well as expand walk-in counseling hours to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Learn more about Benton County Mental Health Crisis Services and the future Benton County Crisis Center.

Congresswoman Val Hoyle visits City and County leaders in Corvallis – Feb. 16, 2023

Val Hoyle, Oregon’s new representative for the Fourth Congressional District visited Corvallis, Ore., on Feb. 16 to meet with county and city leaders.

The focus of Hoyle’s visit included a coordinated response to homelessness by Benton County and the City of Corvallis with aim of providing more affordable housing options in the future.

The County and City leaders met with Hoyle to discuss legislative priorities and other topics including coordinated Homeless Response, affordable housing projects, behavioral health and the County’s new crisis center that is currently under construction, and interest in building a Navigation Center in Corvallis that can provide 24-7 shelter and crucial services to residents who are experiencing homelessness.

Benton County is seeking funding for critical one-time state investments that will position the County to grow its infrastructure and financial capacity to better prepare for and respond to local emergency situations and safety issues ensuring vulnerable populations in the community gain appropriate services that support basic needs for stability and self-sufficiency.

Congresswoman Val Hoyle scheduled to visit Benton County – Feb. 14, 2023

Val Hoyle, Oregon’s new representative for the Fourth Congressional District, will be in Benton County, Thursday, Feb. 16, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. to visit affordable housing locations and discuss the County’s 2023 State Legislative Fund Priorities.

Benton County is seeking funding for critical one-time state investments that will position the county to grow its infrastructure and financial capacity to better prepare for and respond to local emergency situations and safety issues and ensure that vulnerable populations in the community gain appropriate services that support basic needs for stability and self-sufficiency.

The itinerary for Congresswoman Hoyle’s visit is as follows:

0930 – 0950: Tour of Third Street Commons, 728 SW 3rd Street, Corvallis
1000 – 1045: Meeting with Benton and Corvallis Elected Officials and Staff, 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis
1055 – 1130: Tour 53rd Flats Apartments 100-unit Affordable Apartments Project

Media interested in attending can contact pioinfo@co.benton.or.us

Community Open House – Justice System Improvement Program – Feb. 9, 2023

Last night, Feb. 8, Benton County hosted a Justice System Improvement Program (JSIP) Open House at the Kalapuya Building in Corvallis to share the County’s vision to balance treatment and accountability to transform lives, ensure safety, and strengthen the community.

More than 200 community members attended with staff and elected officials to learn about concept plans for the downtown Corvallis Mental Health Crisis Center, the Community Safety & Justice Campus, and the new Courthouse and District Attorney’s office and to provide information about safety, mental health, and homelessness services facilities to be included in a May 2023 bond measure.

The open house included displays and information for community members to learn more about the Justice System Improvement Program master plan, the new Benton County Crisis Center, the new Benton County Courthouse and District Attorney’s office, financial stewardship for the project, a potential new correctional facility with sheriff’s office and emergency operations center, and expanded homeless and mental health services.

The JSIP is a comprehensive effort to create a more equitable, effective, and safe justice system throughout Benton County. Learn more or watch the video on YouTube.

Justice System Improvement Program open house scheduled – Jan. 26, 2023

Benton County is scheduled to host a Justice System Improvement Program (JSIP) Open House for community members to share highlights about County plans for holistic improvements to community safety, mental health, and homelessness services.

The open house will be held Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 6-8 p.m. at the Benton County Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way. Registration is not required, but the public and media are encouraged to RSVP by contacting pioinfo@co.benton.or.us.

Benton County elected officials, subject matter experts, and staff will be available to share plans for the new Mental Health Crisis Center, Courthouse, and District Attorney’s office and provide information about proposed safety, mental health, and homelessness services facilities to be included in a May 2023 bond measure. Stations at the event will include information about the new Courthouse and District Attorney’s office design, the proposed plan for a new correctional facility with a Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Operation Center, the new Benton County Crisis Center design plan, homelessness services facilities, and financial stewardship.

The Justice System Improvement Program is a comprehensive effort to create a more equitable, effective, and safe justice system throughout Benton County.

Learn about what’s included in the May bond measure
View the timeline with key JSIP milestones

Questions or RSVPs may be directed to pioinfo@co.benton.or.us.

Benton County Board decides on $110 million May 2023 bond measure – Jan. 3, 2023

The Benton County Board of Commissioners received a final presentation on the costs and recommended projects for the planned May 16, 2023, Justice System Improvement Program (JSIP) bond measure. The total cost of facilities for the proposed bond measure is $114 million and staff presented a number of bond cost scenarios ranging from $100 million up to $114 million. After discussion, the Board was unanimous in their decision to set the bond amount at $110 million. The cost would be approximately $150 – $155 per year for a Benton County home with an average tax-assessed value of $266,000 or market value of about $450,000.

Commissioners directed staff to explore additional funding strategies including requesting funding from the Oregon State Legislature for the Emergency Operations Center. If not successful in securing this support, the County may need to consider reprioritization of other planned budget programs or services. The Board will continue the reprioritization discussion later this month.

The bond measure would fund a new co-located correctional facility, Sheriff’s Office, and emergency operations center to maximize operational savings and efficiencies. It will also include up to $4.5 million for an expanded youth mental health services facility and a homelessness services facility. The inclusion of these facilities in the bond package is in response to community priorities for the escalating need.

In November, the Board unanimously decided to include funding in the bond package for homelessness services facilities. The decision is to support the preferred partner option of the Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center’s (CDDC) homelessness resources and housing navigation center project.

At their December 20, 2022 meeting, the board unanimously supported the inclusion of expanded facilities for youth mental health to address the growing need for services in Benton County. According to Behavioral Health Deputy Director, Damien Sands, the County has a lack of space to serve youth in need of services.

“Over the last decade, the County has seen the need to serve children and youth skyrocket, with numerous conditions from depression to substance use continuing to rise. Right now, we lack the space to accommodate the growing needs. Our Children and Family Program do amazing work as a part of the larger Behavioral Health team at Benton County. Expanded facilities will help them continue in that good work,” Sands said.

The Justice System Improvement Program is the County’s most comprehensive approach ever to improve Benton County’s justice system to be equitable, effective, and safe. The total estimated cost for JSIP facilities is $179 million and County staff have been exploring all possible funding sources. Phase I of the program is now fully funded and includes the new courthouse and District Attorney’s office. It will be funded with County borrowing and a 50% state matching grant for the courthouse. Phase II facilities include those that will be included in the bond to go before voters this May. Members of the public can learn more about the planning process leading up to this decision at www.bentoncountyjustice.org.

Supporting documents

Frequently asked questions about Bond Measure 2-140

Return to Safety & Justice background