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August 1, 2025 in News

Severe weather grounds Van Halen tribute; local band to headline at Benton County Fair

Benton County announces a change in the main stage lineup for Friday, August 1. Completely Unchained, the Van Halen tribute band scheduled to take the stage at 8:30 p.m., is unable to appear. Local band The Raven Kings will fill the headliner spot, with Skynny Lyzyrd as the opening act.

Concerts and rodeos are included in the cost of Fair admission.

The Raven Kings won the Battle of the Bands competition held at the Fair on Thursday, and Skynny Lyzyrd was the runner-up. As winners, The Raven Kings were expecting to play on August 1 at 7 p.m. to open for Completely Unchained. When fair organizers found out late Thursday night that the scheduled musicians would not be able to get to Corvallis in time to perform, they extended an invitation to The Raven Kings to take the headliner spot.

“Both of the bands were thrilled at the opportunity to play the Main Stage at the Fair, and we’re happy to turn this into a paying gig for them,” said Jesse Ott, the County’s director of Natural Areas Parks & Events. “We’re excited to support local musicians, and the crowd at Battle of the Bands really liked them.”

The Raven Kings are a heavy blues and rock band based in Salem, Ore. They play covers and original songs, so Ott says, “There will probably be some Van Halen covers in their set Friday night. Fans who were looking forward to hearing Completely Unchained should still consider turning out.”

Co-lead singer Ish Phoenix shared the band’s enthusiasm about the change in lineup. “With a heart full of gratitude, I am beyond excited to get the opportunity to play the Main Stage at the Benton County Fair & Rodeo with The Raven Kings. There is nothing better than turning music into memories.”

The members of Completely Unchained were stranded in an airport when all flights out of the Washington, D.C. area were grounded on July 31 by thunderstorms and flash flooding along the Eastern seaboard.

The 2025 Benton County Fair continues through Saturday, August 2. Find more information at bentoncountyfair.net.

July 31, 2025 in News

Planning Commission adopts decision to deny landfill expansion application

The Benton County Planning Commission met on July 29 to adopt their findings of fact and conclusions of law, finalizing their decision to deny LU-24-027 — Republic Services’ application to expand the Coffin Butte Landfill. After about an hour of discussion on the document, the members of the Planning Commission voted unanimously to adopt the final written decision.

The Planning Commission had already met on July 22 to deliberate and come to a decision following more than 20 hours of presentations and verbal testimony by Benton County Planning Division staff, consultants, the applicant and community members in a series of in-person meetings that began on April 29. The July 22 meeting lasted nearly four hours.

The Planning Commission also received and reviewed thousands of pages of application materials, reports, exhibits and written public testimony and evidence.

Following the close of deliberations on July 22, the County created a final written document containing findings of fact and conclusions of law.

Before adopting the document on July 29, Planning Commission members discussed and voted on corrections. According to the quasi-judicial land use application process, only minor changes like corrections could be made without reopening deliberations. A motion to reopen deliberations, which would have extended the process, was made but not seconded, so deliberations remained closed during the meeting.

All parties have 14 days from the date of final decision (July 29) to file an appeal. The appeal deadline is 5 p.m. (close of business) on Tuesday, August 12. An appellant is charged the full cost to the County of the appeal, starting with a $5,000 deposit due when the appeal is filed. Appeals are heard by the Benton County Board of Commissioners.  

Learn more

July 25, 2025 in News

Planning Commission to meet virtually on July 29

The Benton County Planning Commission will meet virtually on July 29 at 6 p.m. to adopt the decision and findings on LU-24-027, Republic Services’ application to expand the Coffin Butte Landfill. Community members can view the meeting through Zoom. Those who wish to watch the virtual proceedings in a County location can go to the Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis.

The Planning Commission met July 22 for deliberations. Following nearly four hours of opening statements and discussion, the seven participating Commission members voted unanimously to deny the application.

The County is creating a final written decision document including findings and justification for the decision. The Planning Commission will reconvene on July 29 at 6 p.m. in a Zoom meeting room to adopt the written decision and findings, making the decision final.

The public hearing on LU-24-027 began on April 29. In total, the Planning Commission heard more than 20 hours of presentations and verbal testimony by Benton County Planning Division staff, consultants, the applicant and community members. The Commission also received and reviewed thousands of pages of application materials, reports, exhibits and written public testimony and evidence.

The Planning Commission opted for a virtual meeting on July 29 to make the best use of commissioner time and County resources. With just one item of business on the agenda, the meeting is expected to be short. The Commission also met virtually on June 17, in a meeting that lasted about five minutes, to continue the public hearing to a later date (July 8). All other meetings related to LU-24-027 were held in person in the Kalapuya Building.

Once the decision on the application is final (expected July 29), all parties have 14 days to file an appeal, setting the appeal deadline at 5 p.m. (close of business) on Tuesday, August 12. An appellant is charged the full cost to the County of the appeal, starting with a $5,000 deposit due when the appeal is filed. Appeals are heard by the Benton County Board of Commissioners.  

Learn more

July 11, 2025 in News

Final Open Record Period to end July 16 at 5:00 p.m. as public hearing on proposed landfill expansion concludes

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Benton County Planning Commission announces the deadline to submit written testimony in the public hearing on LU-24-027, Republic Services’ application to expand the Coffin Butte Landfill. Reponses to new written evidence that was submitted during the hearings on July 8 and 9 will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16.

On July 8, the Benton County Planning Division, consultants and the applicant made presentations to the Planning Commission. The following evening, the Commission heard nearly four hours of verbal testimony from the public. Recordings of both meetings are available on the County’s YouTube channel.

No more presentations or verbal testimony will be heard.

At the conclusion of the meeting on July 9, the Commission recognized requests for a 7-day Responsive Open Record Period. The Responsive Open Record Period is for submission of written evidence, arguments or testimony for the purpose of responding to the new written evidence submitted at the July 8 and 9 hearing. Submissions should not respond to evidence introduced before those dates and should not include evidence that is not limited to responding to the written evidence submitted at the July 8 and 9 hearing.

The schedule of the remaining proceedings is as follows:

  • Wednesday, July 16 at 5 p.m.: Deadline to submit responsive evidence, arguments or testimony that responds to  new written evidence submitted on July 8 and 9. Responsive written evidence, argument and testimony can be submitted by emailing it to publiccomment@bentoncountyor.gov  or delivering it  to the Planning Division/Community Development at 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis, OR 97333 prior to July 16 at 5:00 p.m. Submissions received after that date and time will not be considered by the Planning Commission or included in the record.
  • Tuesday, July 22, 6 p.m.: Planning Commission meets for deliberations and decision on LU-24-027. Members of the public can attend in person or watch online. Location: 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis. No public testimony will be allowed.
  • Tuesday, July 29, 6 p.m.: Planning Commission meets to adopt the final written decision and findings on LU-24-027. Location TBD. Members of the public can watch online.

July 1, 2025 in News

Sign-up now open for verbal testimony on July 8 & 9

The Benton County Planning Division has opened online sign-up for those wishing to give verbal testimony about the proposed expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill. Registrants to give verbal testimony on July 8 or 9 will be added to the roster in the order in which the online sign-up form is completed.

The public hearing on LU-24-027 will resume on July 8 at 6 p.m. in the Holmes & Shipley meeting room of the County’s Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis. The meeting will begin with presentations of the supplemental staff report and the applicant’s supplemental materials. Any time remaining will be used for the presentation of public verbal testimony.

Verbal testimony will continue on Wednesday, July 9 at 6 p.m. The public hearing will end by 9 p.m. with no continuance or extension to a later time or date. The Planning Commission will accept verbal testimony until 8:45 p.m. on July 9 to allow the applicant 15 minutes for rebuttal.

To guarantee that new evidence, argument or testimony will be reviewed by the Planning Commission, community members should submit it in written format. To ensure adequate processing and delivery time for digital submissions, deadlines vary for the different methods:

  • The online form will close at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1.
  • Emailed submissions to publiccomment@bentoncountyor.gov will be accepted until 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1.
  • In-person delivery to the Community Development office will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Monday, July 7.
  • Mailed submissions must be received by 4 p.m. on Monday, July 7. The Planning Division will not consider the postmark date if a submission is received after this deadline.
  • In-person delivery at the public hearing will be accepted beginning at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8 and Wednesday, July 9.

June 27, 2025 in News

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

The Benton County Planning Division has released the supplemental staff report for LU-24-027, the conditional land use application for the proposed expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill. The report is available for public viewing on the County’s Munidocs platform. A number of new exhibits submitted by the applicant and the County have also been uploaded to the platform. 

The Planning Commission will reconvene on July 8 for the public hearing. It will be held in the Holmes & Shipley Meeting Room on the first floor of the County’s Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis, with an option for online attendance through Zoom.  

Requests for physical or language accommodations should be emailed to permitcheck@bentoncountyor.gov at least 72 hours in advance of the hearing. 

The schedule for the rest of the application process is as follows: 

Tuesday, July 1, 1:00 p.m.  
Last date to submit written evidence through the online portal or by email. Written testimony may still be mailed or delivered in person to the Community Development Department (4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis, OR 97333). 

Monday, July 7, 4:00 p.m. 
Last date to submit written testimony in person at the Community Development Department and to receive mailed testimony (it must be received in-office by this date, NOT postmarked by this date). Written testimony can still be submitted in person at the public hearing on July 8 and 9. 

Tuesday, July 8, 6-9 p.m. 
Public hearing continues with presentations of supplemental staff report and applicant update. If time permits, begin public verbal testimony on new evidence only. 
Zoom registration  

Wednesday, July 9, 6-9 p.m.  
Public hearing finishes by 8:45 p.m. and applicant receives 15 minutes for rebuttal.  
Zoom registration  

Tuesday, July 22, 6 p.m. 
Deliberations by Planning Commission. No public comment will be heard. 
Zoom registration  

Tuesday, July 29, 6 p.m. 
Meeting to adopt final written decision and findings. 
Zoom registration 

Written testimony 

There are multiple ways to submit written testimony. To ensure adequate processing and delivery time for digital submissions, deadlines vary for the different methods: 

  • The online form will close at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1. 
  • In-person delivery to the Community Development office will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Monday, July 7. 
  • Mailed submissions must be received by 4 p.m. on Monday, July 7. The Planning Division will not consider the postmark date if a submission is received after this deadline. 
  • In-person delivery at the public hearing will be accepted starting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8 and Wednesday, July 9. 

Verbal testimony 

Community members may participate in a second round of verbal testimony during the public hearing on July 8 and 9. This is an opportunity to present and rebut new evidence, arguments or testimony. This means evidence, arguments and testimony that has not been presented before and that contains new subject matter.  People who provided verbal testimony on May 6 or 8 may testify again as long as their testimony meets the novel information requirement. 

Sign-up for verbal testimony will open at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1 and close at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8.  

To sign up to deliver verbal testimony or find more information about LU-24-027, including recordings of all previous meetings in the public hearing, visit bentoncountyor.gov/coffin-butte-landfill. 

Benton County Crisis Center ribbon cutting

June 26, 2025 in Health NewsNews

Governor and Congresswoman celebrate Benton County Crisis Center; public invited to tour this weekend

* Español a continuación *

Benton County administration, elected officials and behavioral health partners gathered on June 20 to celebrate the completion of the Benton County Crisis Center. Governor Tina Kotek and Congresswoman Val Hoyle joined the Board of Commissioners and other County leaders in a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the new building.  

The Crisis Center, located at 240 NW 4th Street in downtown Corvallis, will begin providing walk-in crisis counseling and mobile crisis dispatch on July 7. Stabilization and respite services will be added as part of the phased opening approach. 

Behavioral health is a priority for Governor Kotek and has been throughout her career in public service. Kotek is currently focused on building statewide capacity for every Oregonian to have access to behavioral health services and support no matter where they live or what they can afford. 

“This center is a result of our state’s ongoing work for more spaces and places for Oregonians to get the help they deserve,” Governor Kotek said. “It is the type of capacity that we need, where someone in crisis can stabilize in a safe space, and for those who need more time, a residential setting where they can stay up to 29 days and receive therapy, life skills training, case management, and connections to long-term care.” 

Benton County Commissioner Nancy Wyse cited an increase in need over the last decade for mental and behavioral health support as well as substance use services. She believes the COVID pandemic exacerbated the problem, and that social and economic pressures also add to the strain.  

“There are many stressors affecting everyone in our community —no one is immune to a behavioral health crisis,” said Commissioner Wyse. “Benton County brought together a variety of experts, including health partners, law enforcement and architects, to design this facility that will fill critical gaps in our continuum of care and be a safe, welcoming, therapeutic space for everyone.” 

The community is invited to see the new Crisis Center during the public open house and information fair on Saturday, June 28 from 9 a.m. to noon. Visitors can stop at information stations set up throughout the building to learn about its planning, design and construction and the services that will be offered in each space. Partner organizations will be present to share information about other behavioral health supports available in the community. 

More information is available at health.bentoncountyor.gov/crisis-center-open-house/. 

View photos of the June 20 Crisis Center ribbon-cutting event   

La gobernadora y la congresista celebran el Centro de Crisis del Condado de Benton; el público está invitado a visitarlo este fin de semana 

La administración del Condado de Benton, funcionarios electos y organizaciones de la comunidad que trabajan en el campo de salud mental se reunieron el 20 de junio para celebrar la finalización del Centro de Crisis del Condado de Benton. La gobernadora Tina Kotek y la congresista Val Hoyle se unieron a la Junta de Comisionados y otros líderes del condado en la ceremonia de inauguración del nuevo edificio. 

El Centro de Crisis, ubicado en 240 NW 4th Street, en el Centro de Corvallis, comenzará a ofrecer consejería de crisis sin cita previa y un servicio móvil de atención de crisis el 7 de julio. Se añadirán servicios de estabilización y respiro como parte de la apertura gradual. 

La salud mental es una prioridad para la gobernadora Kotek y lo ha sido a lo largo de su carrera en el servicio público. Kotek se centra actualmente en fortalecer la capacidad estatal para que todos los habitantes de Oregón tengan acceso a servicios y apoyos de salud mental, sin importar dónde vivan o su presupuesto. 

“Este centro es el resultado del trabajo continuo de nuestro estado para crear más espacios y lugares donde los habitantes de Oregón puedan recibir la ayuda que merecen”, declaró la gobernadora Kotek. “Es el tipo de capacidad que necesitamos, donde una persona en crisis pueda estabilizarse en un espacio seguro y para quienes necesitan más tiempo, un espacio residencial donde puedan permanecer hasta 29 días y recibir terapia, capacitación en habilidades para la vida, manejo de casos y acceso a cuidados a largo plazo”. 

La comisionada del Condado de Benton, Nancy Wyse, mencionó un aumento en la necesidad de apoyo para la salud mental, así como de servicios para el abuso de sustancias, durante la última década. Cree que la pandemia de COVID agravó el problema y que las presiones sociales y económicas también agravan la situación. 

“Hay muchos factores estresantes que afectan a todos en nuestra comunidad; nadie es inmune a una crisis de salud mental”, afirmó la comisionada Wyse. “El Condado de Benton reunió a diversos expertos, incluyendo socios de salud, autoridades policiales y arquitectos, para diseñar este centro que cubrirá las necesidades críticas de nuestra atención continua y será un espacio seguro, acogedor y terapéutico para todos”.  

Se invita a la comunidad a conocer el nuevo Centro de Crisis durante el evento de bienvenida y la feria de recursos el sábado 28 de junio, de 9:00 a.m. a 12:00 p.m. Los visitantes podrán visitar las estaciones de información distribuidas por todo el edificio para conocer su planificación, diseño y construcción, así como los servicios que se ofrecerán en cada espacio. Organizaciones colaboradoras estarán presentes para compartir información sobre otros apoyos de salud mental disponibles en la comunidad. 

Más información está disponible en health.bentoncountyor.gov/crisis-center-open-house/. 

Vea fotos de la ceremonia de apertura del Centro de Crisis el 20 de junio    

June 24, 2025 in News

Last-minute exhibits for landfill hearing delay release of Supplemental Staff Report

The Benton County Planning Division announces a two-day delay in the release of the supplemental staff report for LU-24-027, the proposed expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill. The report was expected to be ready for release today. Consultants for the County now anticipate having the report ready for distribution by the end of the day on Thursday, June 26.

Yesterday the County received ten new exhibits from the applicant. Consultants are working to incorporate these into the supplemental staff report. The two additional days will also give them time to consult with County staff about the new information.

By law, the County is required to distribute the supplemental staff report at least seven days prior to the continued public hearing before the Planning Commission on July 8. By initially planning to release the report 14 days prior to the hearing date — on June 24 — the County allowed extra time in the schedule for unforeseen delays while still allowing Planning Commissioners and the public adequate time to review it.

Once the report is published, it will be available to the public on the Munidocs platform. Notification of the report’s availability will be posted on the County’s website, communicated through a press release and sent through email to everyone registered as an Interested Party.

Visit the Benton County website for more information about the proposed expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill.

June 16, 2025 in News

Sustainable Materials Management Plan task force to share recommendations for slashing solid waste

A task force assembled by Benton County has concluded the first phase of work on a regional Sustainable Materials Management Plan. Representatives of the group will present their findings to the Benton County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, June 17 in a meeting scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

The meeting will be held at the County’s Kalapuya building at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or virtually. More information is available on the Board of Commissioners Meeting Portal.

Sustainable development and environmental stewardship are priorities for Benton County leadership and the Board of Commissioners. In spring 2024 they committed to searching for ways to dramatically reduce the amount of solid waste at the end of the materials life cycle — trash, recycling and compost — by addressing the beginning (production) and middle (reuse and repair) of that life cycle. The County began assembling a group of experts and decision-makers from throughout the region.

The resulting SMMP task force includes City and County government elected officials and staff, state agency representatives and experts and innovators in sustainable materials and solid waste management. At a kickoff meeting in October 2024, four subcommittees were created to consider policy initiatives, necessary investments, cross-governmental collaboration and programmatic recommendations.

Subcommittees dedicated to food & organics, the built environment and products & packaging evaluated case studies of policies that state and local government can pursue to reduce life cycle material impacts. The resulting recommendations support the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality ’s Material Management Program priorities.

The fourth subcommittee, focused on regional solid waste management, looked at solutions to proactively prepare for the closure of the Coffin Butte landfill sometime around 2037. Coffin Butte receives waste from 11 counties in northwest Oregon.

“The time to act is now. Solid waste facilities are notoriously time-consuming to get site approval for,” said Bailey Payne, solid waste coordinator for Benton County. “Any facility investments recommended by this committee will take many years to come to fruition.”

Cost is another challenge that requires local and state governments working together. “Collaboration between communities will allow the region to look at solutions that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive to any individual jurisdiction,” said Payne.

A final report on the work of the SMMP task force will be developed in July. It will include context and data, key findings and recommendations for each subcommittee and for systemic challenges facing our region. The recommendations will be organized to identify the key partners that have the greatest opportunity to implement systemic change. Actions need to be taken at all levels of government as well as private and non-profit sectors.

“It is in the best interest of the region — from Metro to Lane County — to continue the excellent work of this current SMMP task force,” says Marion County Commissioner Kevin Cameron. “We will need regional efforts and collaboration to take advantage of local opportunities.”

State Representative Sarah Finger McDonald, who represents Benton County, submitted legislation that would create a solid waste task force in the Willamette Valley to continue this much-needed work. Under House Bill 3794, this new group would move ahead with the findings and recommendations of the current task force to submit a report to the Oregon Legislature in 2026.

Learn more about the regional SMMP Task Force at https://boc.bentoncountyor.gov/smmp-task-force/.

June 4, 2025 in News

Benton County Budget Committee approves 2025-27 biennium budget

The Benton County Budget Committee closed a week of budget hearings on May 30 by approving the proposed 2025-27 budget with just four amendments. Financial Services staff are preparing the approved budget document for a final public hearing on June 17 before the Board of Commissioners. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the BOC will consider any further changes and adopt the 2025-27 budget.

The Budget Committee met on May 27, 29 and 30 to consider proposed biennium budgets for the County, the Library Services County Service District, and the 911 Emergency Services County Service District. The Library Services and 911 Services budgets were approved on May 27 with no amendments.

County administration and department heads presented detailed budgets to the Committee for the County’s 15 offices and departments, answering Committee members’ questions as they were raised. Following the final presentation, the Committee deliberated and created four amendments to the proposed County budget:

  1. They established a $1 cost center within the General Fund – under Public Safety Operating Programs – to start saving for a new correctional facility. This action creates a new line item for a facility that is desperately needed to replace the inadequate County Jail.
  2. They funded the budget line to continue the Sheriff’s Office work crew. Work crew is a public safety operating program that offers an alternative to incarceration through community service.
  3. They increased the budget by $847,000 to support dedicated funds for the Behavioral Health Deflection program that was launched at the beginning of 2024. This program provides another alternative to incarceration specifically for people cited for drug possession.
  4. They opted to maintain the current 2023-25 rate (3%) for deferred compensation for management and unrepresented employees.

In total, the approved budget was increased from $539,427,492 to $540,274,492 due to the $847,000 increase for the Behavioral Health Deflection Program. All other amendments were accomplished without increasing the total cost of the budget. Allocations were created by decreasing contingencies in multiple other funds to levels that still prudently mitigate budget risk.

Proposed budget documents, department presentations and recordings of all Budget Committee meetings are available for public viewing online at finance.bentoncountyor.gov/events/benton-county-budget-hearing-2025.

The Board of Commissioners will conduct a final public hearing on June 17 to consider and adopt the budget. They can make changes to the approved budget before adopting, but if they exceed 10% change per fund, another public notice and hearing will be required. The adopted budget will take effect on July 1.

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