Tag: bc-featured

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:

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.
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.
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.
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.

June 2, 2025 in News

Benton County and Republic Services host webinar to explain upcoming recycling changes

Benton County and Republic Services are partnering to host a webinar about statewide changes to recycling guidelines and access set to take effect on July 1. Anyone can register through Zoom to watch the virtual presentation scheduled for Tuesday, June 10 from 6-7 p.m.

All community members are invited to participate and learn how Oregon’s recycling system is changing, why it is changing and what residents need to know to recycle right moving forward. Time will be provided for questions about the new recycling rules and how they are being implemented in Benton County.

The July 1 changes are results of Oregon’s Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (RMA) passed in 2021. The RMA aims to reduce plastic pollution, improve access to recycling and create more sustainable waste management practices across the state.

“With the RMA, Oregon is a leader in creating a more efficient, equitable and effective recycling system,” says Bailey Payne, solid waste program coordinator for the County. “Working together with Republic Services, we can reach more people through outreach and education, thereby increasing the impact of these changes.”

The RMA is intended to modernize the state’s recycling system and make it more robust. Key components include:

Incentives for producers to use more recyclable materials in packaging.
A single, statewide list of recyclable materials to reduce confusion and expand what can be recycled in many parts of the state.
Access to recycling in all communities, including multifamily housing units and rural areas.
New performance standards and accountability practices for recycling facilities.

Those who wish to view the webinar can register online. A recording of the webinar will be posted to Benton County’s YouTube channel.

May 29, 2025 in News

Benton County announces additional meetings in landfill expansion hearing

The Benton County Planning Division announces several additional dates for the continuation of the public hearing on LU-24-027, Republic Services’ proposed expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill.

The initial timeline for the public hearing before the Planning Commission included three days for presentations and public testimony on April 29 and May 1 and 6. A fourth day was added on May 8 to accommodate the volume of public verbal testimony. At the conclusion of that meeting, the hearing was continued to June 17, which had initially been intended as the date for deliberations and a decision.

The following dates have now been set to continue the proceedings. This is the expected schedule; dates are subject to change as necessary with prior notice. With the exception of the June 17 date, meetings will take place at the County’s Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis.

Tuesday, June 17, 6 p.m. – virtual (Zoom)
Planning Commission meets to continue hearing to July 8.

Tuesday, June 24
Supplemental staff report issued. This report will include analysis of public testimony and supplemental material submitted by the applicant.

Thursday, July 3, 4 p.m.
Deadline to submit written testimony through online form and email (publiccomment@bentoncountyor.gov). Written evidence can still be submitted in person at the public hearing or at the Community Development office: 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis, second floor.

Tuesday, July 8, 6-9 p.m.
Public hearing before the Planning Commission continues with presentation of revised staff report and presentation of applicant update. If time permits, begin public verbal testimony on new evidence only. Attestants can submit written testimony on new evidence during the meeting.

Wednesday, July 9, 6 p.m.
Continue public testimony if needed.

Tuesday, July 22, 6 p.m.
Deliberations by Planning Commission. Open to the public, but no public comment will be heard.

Tuesday, Jul 29, 6 p.m.
Meeting to adopt final written decision and findings.

The deadline to reach a decision on the application has been extended from August 11 to September 27. Republic Services requested and was granted a 47-day extension of the 150-day timeline. This is the second extension that has been granted.

According to Benton County Code, the timeline for making land use decisions is 150 days. Applicants are allowed to request up to 215 additional days for the process, for a total of 365 days. This can come as multiple requests throughout the process, each one changing the end date. Republic Services’ first extension request was granted in January, extending the time prior to the start of the public hearing by 58 days.

For more information and access to documents related to LU-24-027, visit bentoncountyor.gov/coffin-butte-landfill.

May 19, 2025 in News

Benton County seeks volunteers for advisory boards and committees

Benton County government relies on more than a dozen citizen-led advisory boards and committees to help shape policies and make informed decisions. The Board of Commissioners invites community members to apply to fill current vacancies in five of the advisory groups.

Courthouse Preservation Committee – 1 position
Environment & Natural Resources Advisory Committee – 2 positions
Historic Resources Commission – 2 positions
Natural Areas & Parks Board – 1 position
Property Value Appeals Board – 1 position

Applicants will be interviewed by the Board of Commissioners, and those who are selected to serve will be appointed at a Board meeting in June.

Benefits of serving

Participating in an advisory body provides a unique opportunity for community members to actively contribute to decision making in Benton County. Advisory board and committee members represent the people, contributing expertise and objective insights that enhance the work of County elected officials and staff.

Serving in an advisory group is a great way to shape the future of the County, learn about local government, gain leadership experience and work with other highly engaged members of the community.

Who should apply

Benton County seeks applicants with diverse perspectives and lived experiences who can help local government support and serve all community members. Requirements for service include:

Residency: Live or own property in Benton County.
Expertise: Sometimes an interest in the committee’s work is all that’s needed. Other positions require relevant knowledge or experience.
Commitment: Attend regular meetings and actively engage in the decision-making process.

How to apply

Visit the Benton County website and complete the online application form. Questions can be directed to Maura Kwiatkowski at 541-766-6800 or maura.kwiatkowski@bentoncountyor.gov.

May 7, 2025 in News

Benton County extends public hearing on proposed landfill expansion

The Benton County Planning Commission has added a supplemental day to hear verbal public testimony on Republic Services’ application for the proposed expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill. The public hearing was continued — that is, postponed to a future date — at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, and will resume at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 8 in the County’s Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis.

The Public Hearing on LU-24-027 was originally scheduled for three days of presentations, reports and testimony in late April and early May, with a fourth meeting in June for Commissioners to discuss the application and come to a decision. After nearly three hours of verbal testimony on the third day, the Commission had heard from only half of the 78 community members who signed up to testify. After a brief discussion and motion, the Commissioners voted to add the additional meeting and resume two days later so all community voices can be heard.

Revised hearing schedule

Tuesday, April 29
The County Planning Division and consultants presented the staff report, then addressed questions from the Planning Commission. View the recording of Day 1.

Thursday, May 1
Republic Services presented the application, then addressed questions from the Planning Commission. View the recording of Day 2.

Tuesday, May 6
Members of the public delivered verbal testimony. Each person who signed up was allotted three minutes to speak; some opted to cede their time to another speaker to allow that person more time to deliver their prepared message. Testimony was delivered by or on behalf of 37 people. View the recording of Day 3.

Continuance, Thursday, May 8, 6 p.m. – complete
The Planning Commission will hear testimony by the remaining people on the verbal testimony roster. Registration for verbal testimony closed at 6 p.m. on May 6, so no additional attestants will be added. Following the conclusion of verbal testimony, representatives of Republic Services will have an opportunity to deliver a brief rebuttal. Register for virtual participation through Zoom.

Tuesday, June 17, 6 p.m. – complete
Deliberations and decision by the Planning Commission. Zoom registration

Attendees who need any physical or language accommodations should notify Benton County Community Development (permitcheck@bentoncountyor.gov) at least 72 hours in advance of the hearing.

Written testimony

Written testimony is still being accepted in four ways: online form, regular mail, email (publiccomment@bentoncountyor.gov) and hand delivery. Benton County Planning Division staff are posting compiled written testimony to the online Munidocs platform soon after it is received. The latest batch of comments includes those received through 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 6.

More information about the public hearing is available on the Coffin Butte Landfill webpage.

April 21, 2025 in News

Benton County proclaims May as Wildfire Awareness Month; hosts wildfire awareness roundtable

The Benton County Board of Commissioners is preparing for wildfire season with a wildfire awareness roundtable discussion on Tuesday, April 22. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m., with the discussion scheduled to start after two short items of business. The public is always welcome to attend BOC meetings in person or virtually.

The Board of Commissioners will dedicate most of their quarterly Information Sharing Meeting to the discussion including representatives of Benton County Emergency Operations, the Benton County Fire Defense Board, the Oregon State Fire Marshal and the Oregon Department of Forestry Representatives.

Topics of discussion will include the wildfire outlook, community preparedness, risks, highlights of department activities and the Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

Following the discussion, Benton County Emergency Services Manager Bryan Lee will ask the Board to officially proclaim May 2025 as Wildfire Awareness Month in Benton County.

Community members can attend the meeting in person at the County’s Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis. Those who wish to watch online should visit the Board of Commissioners online meeting portal.

A full recording of the discussion will be posted to the meeting portal within 48 hours after the end of the meeting.

IMAGE: Leo Williamson of Oregon Department of Forestry talks about the wildland fire outlook for 2025.

April 4, 2025 in News

Benton County freezes recruitment efforts to protect current jobs amid funding uncertainty

Benton County has announced a partial hiring freeze taking effect soon. Recruitment has been paused for several previously posted positions to slow spending for the rest of the 2023-25 budget term. This preemptive measure is intended to prevent job loss in the 2025-27 biennial budget cycle beginning July 1, 2025.

By reducing the overall cost of the labor force, the County is protecting employees’ jobs in a challenging time for public entities. Last week OPB reported that most Oregon counties are forecasting budget deficits and cutting programs. Although Benton County is not mentioned in that reporting, it faces similar budget pressures.

“Benton County has a tremendously strong and skilled workforce, and we don’t want to lose a single person currently employed by the County,” says County Administrator Rachel McEneny. “With the uncertainty of federal and state funding that has come up in the last two months, we’re taking preventive measures to make sure our budget will continue to cover wages and benefits for our dedicated employees as the federal landscape changes.”

The lack of growth in Benton County puts additional strain on the budget. Building has stalled in much of the County, leading to lower revenues from property taxes. Revenues from document recording fees and land use and building permits are also falling short of projected amounts for the 2023-25 biennium. This results in lower projected revenues for 2025-27.

In addition to stopping recruitment for several current job openings, some planned hiring will be put on hold. Recruitment will continue for law enforcement and mandated positions.

“We recognize the challenges County workers face when there are staffing deficits,” says McEneny. “Right now, we’re working to keep people employed for the long term. Department heads are exploring adaptations and efficiency measures to maintain current service levels without straining their staff.”

The County’s financial services department is preparing the 2025-27 proposed budget document to present to the Budget Committee beginning May 27, 2025. Three days of budget hearings are scheduled. Final budget recommendations will be presented to the Board of Commissioners for adoption in June.

These meetings are open to the public, and the full proposed budget will be available for review about a week before the first meeting date.

Visit the County’s website to learn more about the budgeting process and view the 2023-25 Adopted Budget.

March 27, 2025 in News

Four ways to submit written comments about the proposed landfill expansion application

Members of the public are invited to submit written testimony about Republic Services’ Conditional Use Permit application (LU-24-027). Planning Commissioners will receive the full text of all written comment submitted. It will not be edited or summarized.

There are four ways to submit written testimony:

Submit testimony online

Regular Mail (USPS)
Benton County Community Development
4500 SW Research Way
Corvallis, OR 97333-1139

Email
publiccomment@bentoncountyor.gov

Hand Delivery
Community Development is located on the second floor of the Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis, OR. The office is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Timeline for Written Testimony

Comments submitted by 5 p.m. on April 21 (8 days before the hearing begins) will be included in the Planning Division staff report for the Planning Commission and agency referral partners.
Written testimony received after the staff report is posted and up to the start of the public hearing will be delivered in hard copy to the Planning Commission.
Written testimony submitted during the public hearing should be handed to the meeting recorder, who will add it to the official record.

The deadline to submit written testimony will be determined by the length of the Public Hearing. As long as it is open, written public comments will be accepted into the record. Once all verbal testimony is received, the Planning Commission chair will determine when the Public Hearing should be closed. The schedule provided above is planned and expected, but those dates are not guaranteed as less time might be required for verbal testimony.

After the public hearing, all written comments that were not in the original staff report will be added to the record and posted to the County website in one action.

Expected Hearing Schedule

Tuesday, April 29, 6 – 9 p.m.	Day 1: Staff report, applicant presentation and start public testimony if time permits
Thursday, May 1, 6 – 9 p.m.	Day 2: Start or continue public testimony
Tuesday, May 6, 6 – 9 p.m.	Day 3: Continue public testimony as necessary
Tuesday, June 17, 6 p.m. – complete	Day 4: Deliberations and decision

Find more information about the landfill and the application for proposed expansion on the Coffin Butte Landfill page.

March 21, 2025 in News

Water Pipeline Replacement Project in SW Corvallis Begins March 24

The City of Corvallis Public Works Department is starting a project to replace underground water pipeline located along SW 35th Street and SW Western Boulevard. Work will begin on Monday, March 24, 2025.

Following the water pipeline replacement, Western and 35th will be repaved, including improvements to pedestrian crossings at intersections as well as adding buffered bike lanes along portions of each street. The work is expected to be completed by Sept. 2025.

This project will likely create some traffic disruptions at various points in the construction schedule. Street closures and detours will happen periodically to facilitate safe work zones for workers and the public. Households served by the new water pipeline will experience short service interruptions of up to several hours while they are connected to the new line. Information about these interruptions will be communicated directly to affected households.

The existing water pipeline in this area was constructed in the early 1950s and has reached the end of its useful life. Replacing this hidden infrastructure will ensure consistent service and avoid problems in the future.

For more information about this water infrastructure project in southwest Corvallis, please contact Josh Bjornstedt at 541-766-6731 or josh.bjornstedt@corvallisoregon.gov.