Tag: bc-featured

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.

March 10, 2025 in News

Benton County Emergency Management Seeks Volunteers – Training Provided

Get ready to make a difference in your community! Benton County Emergency Management is thrilled to introduce the new Benton County Emergency Management Volunteer Corps, a dynamic opportunity for community members to gain essential skills and take part in vital emergency and disaster preparedness efforts.

Through this program, you’ll receive hands-on training and education to prepare you for both non-emergency and emergency scenarios. Together, we’ll build a dedicated, well-equipped team of volunteers ready to safely lead disaster response operations and community readiness initiatives. Whether you’re new to emergency preparedness or a seasoned volunteer, this is your chance to contribute meaningfully while learning valuable preparedness skills!

Emergency Readiness Training Opportunities

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training: Learn how to help your neighbors during disasters.
Be 2 Weeks Ready (B2WR) program: Gain practical tips to prepare your home and family for emergencies.

Emergency and Disaster Response

Dive into specialized training that prepares you to take action when your community needs it most:

Mass Care and Sheltering: Support those displaced by disasters.
Call Center Operations: Provide critical information during emergencies.
Volunteer and Donations Management: Organize resources to support recovery efforts.
Reunification: Help families reconnect during crises.
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Support: Assist in managing disaster response strategies.
Damage and Debris Assessments: Evaluate and report on post-disaster conditions.
Evacuation Surveys: Ensure safe and effective evacuations.
Pet and Livestock Sheltering: Care for animals affected by disasters.

This is more than just training—it’s an opportunity to be a hero in your community, meet like-minded individuals, and play a crucial role in Benton County’s readiness and resilience.

Join the Benton County Emergency Management Volunteer Corps today and become part of a team that’s making a real impact. Together, we can prepare for the unexpected and build a stronger, safer future for all! For more information on the application process, please send an email to emergencymanagement@bentoncountyor.gov.

March 7, 2025 in News

Introducing New Public Portal for Board of Commissioners Meetings

Benton County has rolled out a new Board of Commissioners meeting portal. The efficient new platform makes internal meeting management faster and easier and increases transparency and accessibility for community members. With it you can:

View Board Meeting Information. See meeting agendas, materials and minutes.

Attend meetings virtually. Join meetings through Zoom. NOTE: meetings will no longer be available as a YouTube livestream.

Find information fast. Use bookmarks to easily navigate large meeting packets and on-demand videos.

Explore past meeting records. Search past meeting agendas and minutes dating back 10 years for information about topics that matter to you. More historical meeting records will be added in the coming months.

Stay connected. Subscribe to get alerts when new meeting materials are published.

Use accessibility features. Access videos with closed captions and download meeting transcripts.

Visit the Meeting Portal to search for information, subscribe to alerts, download meeting materials, or connect to a live meeting.

March 3, 2025 in Health News News

Benton County Health Department Launches Community Survey for Communications Assessment

* Español a continuación *

CORVALLIS, Ore.– The Benton County Health Department is asking people who live in or near Benton County, Oregon to respond to a community survey about health communications.

The goal of the community survey is to better understand where and how people in Benton County receive and share information about things that affect their health.

“We want to know where people look for health information and what types of information they are seeking so we can better serve them,” said Kailee Olson, Communications Coordinator for the Benton County Health Department.

The survey is part of an assessment being conducted by the consultant firm, Rede Group, to evaluate the Health Department’s previous and existing communications. The assessment will help inform a multi-year strategic communications plan to improve how the department communicates with internal staff, community partners, and members of the public.

The survey takes about fifteen minutes to complete and the last day to respond is March 15, 2025. At the end of the survey, participants can choose to enter a drawing to win one of six $50 gift cards as an appreciation for their time.

The survey is available online via SurveyMonkey in both English and Spanish. People who would like the survey in another language or who would like printed copies of the survey should contact healthdeptcommunications@bentoncountyor.gov.

Community members are encouraged to share the survey with friends, family, and networks who live in Benton County and the surrounding area.

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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.

Español

El Departamento de Salud del Condado de Benton lanza una encuesta comunitaria para evaluar sus comunicaciones

CORVALLIS, Ore.– El Departamento de Salud del Condado de Benton está pidiendo a las personas que viven en el Condado de Benton, Oregón o en comunidades cercanas, que respondan a una encuesta comunitaria sobre comunicaciones de salud.

El objetivo de la encuesta comunitaria es comprender mejor dónde y cómo las personas del Condado de Benton reciben y comparten información sobre cosas que afectan su salud.

“Queremos saber dónde buscan las personas información de la salud y qué tipo de información buscan para poder servirles mejor”, dijo Kailee Olson, Coordinadora de Comunicaciones del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Benton.

La encuesta es parte de una evaluación que está realizando la empresa consultora Rede Group para evaluar las comunicaciones pasadas y actuales del Departamento de Salud. La evaluación ayudará a informar un plan estratégico de comunicaciones de varios años para mejorar la forma en que el departamento de salud se comunica con el personal internamente, las agencias de la comunidad y los miembros del público.

La encuesta se completa en unos 15 minutos y el último día para responder es el 15 de marzo de 2025. Al final de la encuesta, los participantes pueden elegir participar en un sorteo para ganar una de seis tarjetas de regalo de $50 como agradecimiento por su tiempo.

La encuesta está disponible en línea por medio de SurveyMonkey tanto en inglés como en español. Las personas que deseen la encuesta en otro idioma o que deseen copias impresas de la encuesta deben comunicarse por correo-e en healthdeptcommunications@bentoncountyor.gov.

Se anima a los miembros de la comunidad a compartir la encuesta con amistades yfamiliares que viven en el Condado de Benton y sus alrededores.

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El Condado de Benton es un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades y acción afirmativa y no discrimina por motivos de discapacidad en la admisión o el acceso a nuestros programas, servicios, actividades, contratación y prácticas de empleo. Este documento está disponible en formatos e idiomas alternativos a pedido. Comuníquese con la Oficina de Información Pública al 541-766-6800 o pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

February 5, 2025 in Health News News

Benton County Launches Deflection Program

* Español a continuación *

Benton County launched its Deflection Program one day ahead of the planned start date, when the first person in Benton County was offered deflection on Dec. 31, 2024. The new program provides treatment and support services as an option to the court system for qualifying County residents cited for drug possession.

Benton County’s Behavioral Health Deflection Program is designed to align with the Oregon Behavioral Health Deflection Grant Program, set up by House Bill (HB) 4002. HB 4002 awards grants to counties and tribes to fund deflection programs. According to the bill, a deflection program is a “collaborative program between law enforcement agencies and behavioral health entities… to create community-based pathways to treatment, recovery support services, housing, case management or other services.”

How Deflection Works

When a person in Benton County is cited by law enforcement for drug possession, the District Attorney’s Office finds out if they qualify for the Deflection Program.
The District Attorney’s Office sends the contact details for the person to the Deflection Coordinator, who contacts the person, explains the program, and makes an offer.
The person can choose to enter the Deflection Program in place of a criminal case, which might include arrest, conviction, and fines or jail time.
If the person agrees to participate in the Deflection Program, they are assigned a Peer Mentor. The Peer Mentor sets up an appointment for intake and screening.
The Deflection Team creates a case management plan, which includes community-based treatment and other services addressing substance use and mental health disorders. Plans are person-centered and follow best practices to address their needs and increase readiness for treatment.
The person is referred to a treatment provider for assessment and treatment.
To meet the requirements of the Deflection Program, the person must be actively engaged in treatment for a period of 60 continuous days.
Upon successful completion of the program, the court dismisses the case.

Collaborative and Community-Centered

Planning for Benton County’s Deflection Program began in May 2024, bringing in law enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office, and social and behavioral health services.

“I appreciate the hard work of the team of professionals who have collaborated to create a program to support individuals wanting to take the first steps toward making a significant life change.” Benton County District Attorney Ryan Joslin

Deflection Program Coordinator Leanna Linville joined the team in December 2024. Linville brings key knowledge from her work in Marion County, where she served in a similar role.

“Through this program, we hope to empower people with substance use disorder by improving access to treatment and creating different pathways for them.” Deflection Program Coordinator Leanna Linville

Deflection isn’t just a chance to get people into treatment without delay – it also provides community supports increasing positive outcomes.

“It is an opportunity for those wanting to pursue treatment voluntarily to obtain it without the delays normally associated with the standard criminal prosecution approach. In addition to substance abuse treatment, the individual will be offered other harm reduction services to better set them up for success in their treatment journey.” Benton County District Attorney Ryan Joslin

House Bill 4002 provides one-time funding for the Deflection Program through June 30, 2025. Similar legislation will be a key part of Oregon’s 2025 legislative session, which began on January 21, to ensure these programs remain viable going forward.

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