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November 1, 2024 in News

Statement About Negotiations Between Benton County and AFSCME

Benton County remains committed to settling this contract. In 140 hours of negotiation, we have seen very little movement from AFSCME on wages, including 70 days with no counter after a financial offer from the County. Since then, the County has brought millions more dollars to the bargaining table. 

Tonight, we are providing proposed salary tables based on our last best offer for the public and our employees. These are the same documents we shared today with the AFSCME negotiation team. We are also sharing the cost of this proposal. The County is prepared to pay, for total wages and benefits, almost $45 million in year 1 of the contract (a $2.5 million increase over current expenditures), $50.4 million in year 2, and $53.5 million in year 3. This is a total of about $147 million on the table for employee compensation.

Two additional mediation sessions have been scheduled for November 7 and November 12. We look forward to continuing working toward a resolution.

More information is available on the County’s website.

October 31, 2024 in News

Benton County Receives Conditional Use Permit Application from Republic Services

On October 30, 2024, Republic Services submitted a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application to expand the Coffin Butte Landfill. This application is a revision of the one filed on July 19, 2024, that was deemed “Incomplete” by the Planning Division of Benton County Community Development. The County anticipates that this revision includes more detailed technical reports and a broader spatial analysis to assess the existing conditions and potential impacts of landfill operations.

Benton County has a statutory 30-day period to complete a Completeness Check—a quality measure to ensure all required and requested information is included, along with any necessary supporting documents. The County will once again utilize the expertise of an outside consultant for technical support to ensure all aspects of the application are thoroughly reviewed. Because of the timing of this filing—just before a general election and a possible labor strike—the County expects to use the full 30 days allowed to provide a response to Republic Services.

If the application is deemed Complete, the review process will begin and must be completed within 150 days. If the application is Incomplete, Republic Services may use the rest of the six-month period to provide the County more information from the August 16, 2024 Incompleteness Letter sent to Republic Services. 

Citizens who would like to receive updates on the process can contact pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov and request to be added to the County’s solid waste management email list.

The full application can be viewed online: https://library.municode.com/or/benton_county/munidocs/munidocs?nodeId=761dacfdc0789

Benton County Community Development Department logo.

September 4, 2024 in News

Community Development updates building division permitting, plan review, and inspection procedures

Benton County will begin accepting online plan reviews as required by House Bill (HB) 2415 on Jan. 1, 2025. HB 2415 ensures statewide consistency in electronic processes for reviewing plans, issuing permits, and performing field inspections.

Community members can currently upload plans for review on the State of Oregon’s website at: aca-oregon.accela.com/oregon. This option will also be made available on the County’s newly designed website on Jan. 1, 2025, at: cd.bentoncountyor.gov/building-division, which provides information about building permits, permit statuses, inspections, codes, zoning, and applications.

“Our department is pleased to provide this service online. The technology is far more efficient for both our customers and plans review process,” reported Interim Community Development Director Petra Schuetz.

The community can use the website to request commercial electrical inspections and plumbing inspections at: cd.bentoncountyor.gov/inspections, also a requirement of HB 2415.

  • Commercial electrical inspections are performed on Wednesdays and Fridays and must be scheduled 24 hours ahead of time.
  • Commercial plumbing inspections are performed on Fridays and must be scheduled 24 hours ahead of time.
  • Inspection requests are accepted 24 hours per day online at: aca-oregon.accela.com/oregon or by phone at: 888-299-2821.
    • Inspections requested before 7:00 a.m. are conducted on the date requested when possible.
    • Inspection requests received after 7:00 a.m. will be accomplished the following day unless a later date is requested.

These significant upgrades reflect the County’s commitment to adhering to Oregon law, being innovative, and providing accessible services to the public. With enhanced functionalities, the site offers improved navigation, making it easier for users to find information, access services, and engage with the County online.

Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact the Public Information Office at 541-766-6800 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

District Attorney Ryan Josling.

August 30, 2024 in News

Ryan S. Joslin appointed as Benton County District Attorney

Ryan S. Joslin has been appointed as Benton County’s new District Attorney, taking over from retiring District Attorney John Haroldson. Joslin, who won nearly 99% of the vote in the May primary, will officially start his role on Sept. 1, 2024.

This appointment reflects the strong support Joslin received from Benton County voters, aiming to ensure a smooth transition and continuity in the District Attorney’s office.

 “We’re thrilled to have Ryan Joslin step into the role of District Attorney. His support in the May primary shows how much our community trusts him. We’re excited to see the positive contributions he will bring to our justice system,” said Benton County Board Chair Commissioner Xan Augerot.

When asked about his candidacy to succeed Haroldson, Joslin said, “While serving as Chief Deputy District Attorney for the past nine years, I have benefited greatly from the mentorship of John Haroldson. Supported by an excellent team of attorneys and other professionals, I look forward to building on the strong foundation he has established of professionalism, integrity, and fairness in serving the people of Benton County.”

Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact the Public Information Office at 541-766-6800 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

District Attorney John Haroldson retires after 22 years of service to residents of Benton County.

August 29, 2024 in News

Benton County District Attorney John M. Haroldson retires after distinguished career

Yesterday, August 28, there was a dedication at the Historic Benton County Courthouse, and the Corvallis Library hosted a retirement ceremony for Benton County District Attorney John M. Haroldson, a trailblazer in Oregon’s legal community. As the first Hispanic or Latino District Attorney in the state’s history, Haroldson’s career has been marked by his dedication to justice and his commitment to community service.

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