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Celebrate Mushroom Day at Beazell Memorial Forest Nov. 9

Mushroom Day Flyer

The community is invited to explore the fascinating world of fungi at Mushroom Day on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at Beazell Memorial Forest.

This family-friendly event offers a chance to learn about mushrooms, enjoy the fall forest and connect with nature. Activities include basic mushroom identification and cooking tips at the Education Center, guided trail walks and kid-friendly crafts and games, with hot food and merchandise for purchase.

A free shuttle service with limited space will run from Avery Park and can be requested during registration.

Admission is $15 per person for in-city residents and $18 for out-of-city guests. Families receive a $5 discount for each additional member, and children under 12 attend free.

“Mushroom Day is a great way to celebrate the season and discover the hidden life of our forests,” said Jesse Ott, Benton County Natural Areas, Parks and Events Director. “Whether you’re a seasoned forager or just curious, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”

The event is sponsored by Oregon State University, The Mushroomery, Corvallis Environmental Center, Benton County and Corvallis Parks & Recreation.

For more information or to register, visit the Corvallis Parks & Recreation website.

https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/parksrec/page/mushroom-day

Benton County Board of Commissioners gavel and meeting room

Board of Commissioners leaves record open for responses to evidence presented in landfill appeal hearing

The Benton County Board of Commissioners has finished hearing testimony on the appeal of the Planning Commission decision to deny expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill.

At the end of the second night of hearings on Oct. 23, 2025, pursuant to ORS 197.797(4)(b) the Board left the written record open until Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. for the limited purpose of responding to documents and evidence submitted during the two nights of hearings before the Board.

Responses to documents and evidence submitted during the two nights of hearings must be submitted in hard copy (physical copy) and received by the Board of Commissioners in the Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way, Suite 100, Corvallis, OR 97333. Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Electronic submissions will not be accepted. Any submissions received after Oct. 29, 2025, at 4 p.m. will not be part of the record.

Next steps

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 4 p.m.
Deadline to submit written testimony responding to documents and evidence presented during the two nights of hearings before the Board of Commissioners

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1 p.m.
Deliberations and decision by Board of Commissioners
Location: Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis
Zoom registration

Monday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m.
Board of Commissioners adopts final written decision
Location: Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis
Visit the Board of Commissioners Meeting Portal to access a live stream of the meeting.

Public record

The LU-24-027 Public Record is available on the County’s website.

Recordings of the two nights of hearings before the Board of Commissioners can be viewed on the County’s YouTube channel.

  • The Oct. 22 recording includes a presentation of the Planning Division Staff Report, a presentation by the applicant, verbal testimony by proponents of the expansion, testimony by government representatives and the beginning of testimony by opponents of the expansion.
  • The Oct. 23 recording includes the bulk of the testimony by opponents of the expansion. The meeting wrapped up with questions from the Commissioners to be addressed in the applicant’s written rebuttal.

For more information about the appeal hearing visit bentoncountyor.gov/coffin-butte-landfill.

Swimmers in the pool at the Osborn Aquatic Center. Image courtesy City of Corvallis.

Benton County approves $100,000 grant for aquatic center improvements

The Benton County Board of Commissioners has approved a grant of up to $100,000 to the Corvallis School District to support planned improvements to the Osborn Aquatic Center.

The City of Corvallis and Corvallis School District jointly operate and maintain the Osborn Aquatic Center, which serves as both a community recreation hub and a regional training and competition facility for students and swim teams. Swim meets and public programs hosted there contribute to local tourism and economic activity.

Providing financial support for a swimming pool is an unprecedented decision for Benton County leaders, but the Board of Commissioners recognizes how much recreation, youth development, training opportunities and tourism revenues have already been affected since Osborn closed in October 2024.

“Osborn Aquatic Center plays an important role in our community’s health and economy,” said Board Chair Nancy Wyse. “From hosting swim meets that draw visitors to supporting recreation opportunities for families, it’s a facility that benefits the entire County. This grant recognizes its value while being mindful of future funding needs.”

Wyse cited sizable budget cuts and the Board’s efforts to maintain current service levels across the County as funding sources are cut. “Even so, I’m proud that we were able to figure out a way to make a meaningful contribution to a project that benefits so many people across our community.”

County Administrator Rachel McEneny echoed the desire to support the aquatic center despite the challenges facing counties. “County governments in Oregon and across the country are facing draconian budget cuts that threaten basic public services our communities rely on, including rural health, mental health, veterans’ services and public safety. These services extend well beyond city limits.”

“While some fiscal realities of cities, school districts and counties are different, we share the same community,” McEneny continued. “Investing very constrained county resources shows that even in tight budget times, Benton County is committed to supporting partnerships that benefit our communities.”

Property Tax payment counter in the Kalapuya Building

Benton County releases 2025 property tax statements

The Benton County Assessor’s Office has released 2025 property tax statements. Property owners can now access certified property values and 2025 tax statements on the County Assessor’s website at https://apps.benton-or.helioncloud.com/PSO/.

Tax statements will be mailed or emailed no later than Oct. 24, 2025.

Business owners who submitted a return electronically through eNoticesonline.com and did not opt out of receiving their Real Property or Business Personal Property statement electronically should check the email account associated with the registered account to find their tax statement. Business Personal Property accounts under the cancellation threshold of $23,000 will not receive a tax statement for the business.  

Important payment information

  1. Payments for property taxesmust be postmarked by Nov. 17, 2025.
  2. Property owners who choose to pay their taxes in full by Nov. 17 will receive a 3% discount.
  3. Alternatively, taxpayers have the option to spread their payments over several installments,but the 3% discount will not apply. The first installment, equal to one-third of the total amount due, is payable on Dec. 16, followed by subsequent one-third payments on Feb. 17 and May 15, 2026.
  4. Interest will be charged on any late installment payment as per ORS 311.505.Payments made after Nov. 17 will start accruing interest on Dec. 16.

Payment methods

Taxpayers have multiple convenient methods to make payments:

  1. Deposit payments at the drop box in the parking lot of the Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis.
  2. Visit the County Tax Office on the first floor of the Kalapuya Building.
  3. Send payments through postal mail to the Benton County Tax Office, P.O. Box 964, Corvallis, OR 97339. Payments must be postmarked by Nov. 17 to be considered timely. The payment coupon should be included.
  4. Make payments at Oregon State Credit Union branches within Benton County or at the Umpqua Bank in Monroe. Bring the payment coupon when making payments at these financial institutions.This payment option is only available through Nov. 17, 2025.
  5. Make online payments by following the steps to pay by credit card, debit card or electronic check.
  6. Pay by phone at 1-866-898-2918.

Inquiries for more information regarding tax statements, payment options or related tax matters should be directed to the Benton County Tax Office at 541-766-6808 or financeinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

For valuation questions, contact the Benton County Assessment Department at 541-766-6855 or assessmentinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

Benton County releases staff report for appeal hearing on proposed landfill expansion

The Benton County Planning Division has released a staff report and attachments for the appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision to deny LU-24-027, Republic Services’ Conditional Use Permit application for the proposed expansion of the Coffin Butte landfill. 

The report includes the Planning Division’s recommendation to the Board of Commissioners for considering the application at a public hearing scheduled to begin on Wednesday, Oct. 22. New exhibits submitted by the applicant and written public testimony received from Aug. 12 through close of business on Oct. 7 are considered in the report.  

The report has been added to the LU-24-027 Public Record that is available on the County’s website.  

Public hearing schedule 

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 5:30 – 10 p.m. 
First day of public hearing: presentations by the County and the applicant followed by the start of verbal public testimony 
Location: Benton County Fairgrounds Auditorium, 110 SW 53rd St, Corvallis 
Zoom registration 

Thursday, Oct. 23, 5:30 – 10 p.m. 
Second day of public hearing: verbal public testimony concludes; applicant rebuttal; deadline to submit written testimony 
Location: Benton County Fairgrounds Auditorium, 110 SW 53rd St, Corvallis 
Zoom registration 

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1 p.m. 
Deliberations and decision by Board of Commissioners 
Location: Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis 

Monday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m. 
Board of Commissioners adopts final written decision 
Location: Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis 

Submitting verbal and written testimony 

Members of the public are invited to submit written comment. Visit the Submit Written Testimony webpage for submission instructions and deadlines.  

The public can also sign up to share verbal testimony at the hearing by completing the online registration form. In-person registration will be open from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on October 22 at the hearing venue. 

To learn more about the decision process, visit bentoncountyor.gov/coffin-butte-landfill

County Agriculture and Wildlife Co-Existence Program accepting grant applications through November 30

The Benton County Agriculture and Wildlife Protection Program (AWPP) is now open for general applications. The AWPP is a grant program for farmers that promotes agriculture and wildlife co-existence by funding non-lethal wildlife deterrents to prevent losses to livestock, crops and property.

Agricultural operations of all sizes may apply for up to $5,000 in reimbursement funds for the purchase of non-lethal wildlife deterrents which may include standard or electric fencing, sound or light scare devices, fladry or flagging, protective animal housing, livestock guardian animals and other approved options.

Property owners experiencing conflicts with beavers, such as tree damage or flooding, can also apply year-round to purchase deterrents to protect trees and crops or prevent flooding.

The AWPP also provides information and resources to farmers regarding non-lethal wildlife deterrence and can help guide interested citizens in creating successful deterrent plans. Grant applications may be downloaded from the AWPP website and submitted Oct. 1 through Nov. 30. Grant awards will be announced in early January and successful applicants will have until April 30, 2026, to install their projects and request reimbursement after an on-site visit by Benton County staff.

Since 2017, AWPP has provided 37 awards totaling $136,539 to Benton County farmers for the purchase of wildlife-friendly deterrents. Awards are made based upon the applicant’s philosophy of animal damage control, quality of application and likely effectiveness of the proposed non-lethal deterrents project plan. Successful applicants must provide a 10% funding match with labor or materials purchases. The AWPP does not fund deterrents for deer or elk.

Learn more about the AWPP, apply and find more information about the program at pw.bentoncountyor.gov/awpp.

Benton County invites dogs and their owners to meet, eat and learn at Dog PAWlooza

Benton County plans to give dogs their day at an upcoming event for canines and their owners. The first-of-its-kind Dog PAWlooza will be held on Friday, October 3 from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the County’s Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis. Admission is free. 

Dog PAWlooza will feature agility games, tasty bites from food trucks for people and pups, local vendors and plenty of chances to connect with fellow dog lovers. 

The event is more than a party — it’s a one-stop spot for responsible pet care. Ark Animal Hospital will be on site with a mobile vaccination and microchipping clinic. The Benton County Records Department will be licensing dogs on the spot. Dog owners can also chat with groomers, trainers and rescue groups.  

The first 20 members of the public to register their dogs will receive a $10 gift card to Coastal Farm & Ranch or Wilco Farm Stores. 

Participants might even meet their new best friend among the adoptable dogs and cats waiting for a forever home.  

Animal control officers from the City of Corvallis and City of Albany will be there to answer questions about dog-related regulations, how to protect yourself and your pet and what to do if your pup goes missing.  

Oregon law requires all dogs to be licensed, but that’s not the only reason the County is hosting this event. When a licensed dog is brought to a shelter, the owner can quickly be identified and the dog returned home. It ensures a beloved pet won’t spend multiple nights in a shelter while the owners worry. 

License fees also support animal services and adoption programs that benefit the whole community. 

For more information and a current list of participating organizations and vendors, visit re.bentoncountyor.gov/events/dog-paw-looza-2025

Benton County Board of Commissioners gavel

Benton County announces dates for public hearing on appeal of landfill decision

Benton County has scheduled a public hearing before the Board of Commissioners for the appeal of the decision to deny expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 22 with a planned continuance on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 5:30-10 p.m. at the Benton County Fairgrounds Auditorium, 110 SW 53rd Street in Corvallis. 

The County’s Planning Commission denied Republic Services’ application to expand the landfill in a decision adopted on July 29. The applicant filed an appeal of that decision on Aug. 12. Appeals of Planning Commission decisions are heard by the Board of Commissioners.  

The hearing will include presentations by the County’s Planning Division and the applicant, followed by verbal public testimony and a final rebuttal by the applicant.   

The full schedule is expected to be as follows. These dates are subject to change with notice. Check the County’s website for the latest schedule.  

Wednesday, Oct. 15 
Expected date for County to publish a staff report considering evidence submitted by the applicant and public since the start of the appeal 

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 5:30 – 10 p.m. 
First day of public hearing: presentations by the County and the applicant followed by the start of verbal public testimony  
Location: Benton County Fairgrounds Auditorium, 110 SW 53rd Street, Corvallis 

Thursday, Oct. 23, 5:30 – 10 p.m. 
Second day of public hearing: verbal public testimony concludes; applicant rebuttal; deadline to submit written testimony 
Location: Benton County Fairgrounds Auditorium, 110 SW 53rd Street, Corvallis 

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1 p.m. 
Deliberations and decision by Board of Commissioners 
Location: Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis 

Monday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m. 
Board of Commissioners adopts final written decision  
Location: Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis 

Virtual participation in all meetings will be available through an online meeting platform. Links to register for and view meetings will be available soon.  

Verbal testimony 

Anyone can sign up to give two minutes of verbal testimony on new evidence regardless of their participation in the earlier Planning Commission hearing. The time has been set at two minutes per person because of the condensed timeline of the hearing and the large number of interested parties who wish to be heard. 

Registration for verbal testimony will open at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15. Instructions and a link to a sign-up form will be distributed and posted to the County website closer to that date.   

Written testimony 

Written evidence and testimony are already being accepted and will be collected until the hearing record is closed by the chair of the Board of Commissioners, which will not be before the hearing ends on Oct. 23.  

There are four ways to submit written testimony:  

  • Through the testimony submission form on the County’s website. Please note that the form does not allow for attachments. To submit testimony with an attachment, use the email address above. 
  • Mailed to Board of Commissioners Office, P.O. Box 3020, Corvallis, OR 97339. Mailed submissions must be received by 5 p.m. on the day the record closes — the postmark will not be taken into consideration. 
  • Hand delivered to Board of Commissioners Office (suite 100) in the Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis 

Written testimony can also be submitted in person at the hearing. A testimony table will be set up at the hearing location, opening one hour before the hearing and closing at the end of the session. 

Public record 

In preparation for the hearing to begin on Oct. 22, the Board of Commissioners is reviewing all documents in the public record of the Planning Commission hearing. Minutes and recordings from the hearing, along with all submitted materials, are part of that record.  

The LU-24-027 Public Record is now available on the County’s website. It replaces the record maintained on the MuniDocs platform during the Planning Commission hearing. All documents from MuniDocs are included, with these improvements: 

  • Many duplicate documents have been removed. 
  • Individuals who made multiple submissions on the same date will see a combined document for that date.
  • Attachments to emailed submissions are included within each document, rather than linked out.
  • All documents are keyword searchable. 
  • Documents can be indexed by search engines. 

The public record also includes new evidence submitted for the Board of Commissioners hearing. Applicant submissions and written public testimony are found below the Planning Commission record under the heading “Board of Commissioners de novo Record.” New submissions are uploaded to the record every Wednesday and Friday.  

For more information about the appeal hearing and instructions for giving written or verbal testimony, visit bentoncountyor.gov/coffin-butte-landfill

Republic Services files appeal of Planning Commission decision to deny expansion of Coffin Butte Landfill

The Benton County Planning Division has received an appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision to deny LU-24-027, the application to expand the Coffin Butte Landfill. The applicant, Republic Services, filed the appeal with the County on Tuesday, August 12.

The Planning Commission adopted the decision on Tuesday, July 29, opening a 14-day window in which any party could file an appeal to be heard before the Benton County Board of Commissioners.

Along with the appeal, the applicant requested a 60-day extension of the process, which was granted by the County. This gives all parties more time to fully consider evidence both before and after the public hearing. Prior to the extension, September 27 was the deadline to complete the quasi-judicial land use application process. The new deadline is November 26.

A public hearing before the Board of Commissioners will be scheduled for late October and announced as soon as date, time and location are finalized.

Virtual participation in the meetings will be provided through Zoom. Once hearing dates are set, those interested can visit the County website to register for Zoom meetings.

Ex parte communication rules regarding direct communication with the Benton County Commissioners remain in effect. As such, written testimony should be submitted to landfillappeals@bentoncountyor.gov or via the three other identified avenues on our website.

For more forthcoming information about the appeal hearing and instructions for giving written or verbal testimony, visit bentoncountyor.gov/coffin-butte-landfill or sign up as an interested party on our website.

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