Benton County Budget Committee Approves 2025-27 Biennium Budget (Photo) -06/04/25

CORVALLIS, Ore. – 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 https://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 a certain percentage of change per fund, another public notice and hearing will be required. The adopted budget will take effect on July 1.

Benton County Crisis Center To Host Open House On June 28 (Photo) -06/03/25

* Español a continuación *

Corvallis ORE. – The Benton County Crisis Center will host an open house and information fair on Saturday, June 28 from 9 a.m. to noon. Community partners, media and the public are all invited to attend. The new building is located at 240 NW 4th Street in Corvallis.

Every aspect of the Crisis Center was chosen to create a trauma-informed and treatment-centered environment. 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.

"Visitors to the Crisis Center will immediately notice the quality and care put into making this facility a reality,” says Ricky Garcia, Benton County Crisis Center Project Manager. “The space is warm and inviting, welcoming anyone that is in need of care and support. This therapeutic space is quiet, filled with natural lighting, and has a strong connection to nature through the use of organic materials and calming colors."

The Benton County Crisis Center is a voluntary, walk-in, mental health treatment center for people experiencing mental health crises. It will offer a safe and supportive space for people who need a break from stressors along with referrals and support for ongoing behavioral health services.

Phase 1 of the opening is set for July 7, with walk-in, face-to-face crisis counseling services available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The 24/7 Mobile Crisis Team will also dispatch from the new building.

Future phases will include the addition of new services:

• Phase 2, stabilization: Up to 23 hours’ voluntary stay in a calm and quiet area that will include reclining chairs separated by dividers for privacy.
• Phase 3, respite: Up to 29 days’ voluntary stay in a residential space on the second floor with private bedrooms and a shared kitchen and common areas.

The Crisis Center will be available to any community member experiencing a moment of need. While stabilization and respite are for adults only, youth experiencing crises can still access counselors who can help them get the appropriate referrals and services. No one will be turned away from the crisis center due to inability to pay.

For more information on the Benton County Crisis Center, including the phased opening schedule, please visit: https://health.bentoncountyor.gov/benton-county-crisis-center/

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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.

Benton County And Republic Services Host Webinar To Explain Upcoming Recycling Changes -05/30/25

CORVALLIS, Ore. – 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.

Benton County Announces Additional Meetings In Landfill Expansion Hearing; Extends Deadline To Reach Decision On Application -05/29/25

CORVALLIS, Ore. – 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.

Benton County Releases Proposed Budgets Ahead Of Hearing Before Budget Committee -05/22/25

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Benton County has released proposed 2025-27 biennial budgets in preparation for three days of budget hearings starting on May 27. The hearings will be held in the Holmes & Shipley Public Meeting Rooms of the Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis.

All meetings of the Budget Committee are open to the public. Public comment on any aspect of the proposed budget will be heard at the designated hearing times listed below. Virtual attendance options are available; Zoom access information is available on the County’s website.

The County’s Budget Committee is meeting to review, deliberate and approve three proposed 2025-27 biennium budgets:

Library Services budget proposal
Public hearing: Tuesday, May 27, 9:00 a.m.

911 Emergency Services CSD budget proposal
Public hearing: Tuesday, May 27, approx. 9:30 a.m.

County Budget proposal
Public hearing:
Tuesday, May 27, 6 p.m.
Thursday, May 29, 6 p.m.
Friday, May 30, approx. 11 a.m.

The Notice of Budget Committee Meetings (Spanish translation available) includes a detailed schedule for the three meeting days. Members of the public are welcome to attend presentations of the County budget summary and individual budgets for the County’s 15 departments. Public comment will be allowed during the specified public hearing times.

Benton County budget process

The creation of the County’s budget begins months before it takes effect on July 1.

STEP 1: Every two years, analysts in the Financial Services Department work with department directors to create proposed budgets for the upcoming biennium. These budgets account for current service levels, inflation and future goals.

STEP 2: The chief financial officer, county administrator and senior budget strategist vet and approve the proposed department budgets. They compile a proposed County budget that balances proposed expenses with projected revenues.

STEP 3: The proposed budget is presented to the Budget Committee, which is composed of the three elected Commissioners and three appointed community members. The Committee considers the proposed budget, deliberates, makes amendments (if necessary) and approves the budget.

STEP 4: County staff prepare the approved budget. In accordance with Oregon budget law, details are posted in the newspaper at least five days prior to the Board of Commissioners considering it for adoption.

STEP 5: The Board of Commissioners conducts a final public hearing (for the 2025-27 budget, this is scheduled for June 17) and adopts the budget. The Board of Commissioners may make changes to the approved budget before adopting, but if they exceed a certain percentage of change per fund, another public notice and hearing are required. 

STEP 6: The adopted budget takes effect on July 1.

STEP 7: By July 15, County staff give notice of tax being imposed, as identified in the adopted budget, to the County Assessor.

STEP 8: By September 30, County staff submit the completed adopted budget document to the County Clerk. The document is also uploaded to the County’s website.

More information

• View the adopted 2023-25 biennium budgets
• Learn about the Benton County Budget Committee
• View department budget presentations (to be posted Friday, May 23)
• Find detailed hearing agendas in English and Spanish

Benton County Seeks Volunteers For Advisory Boards And Committees (Photo) -05/19/25

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.

Benton County Announces New Funding, Rehouses 47 Households (Photo) -05/14/25

* Español a continuación *

CORVALLIS, ORE.— Benton County is participating in Housing 360, a new pilot program launched by Governor Kotek this spring to connect people struggling with mental illness to services and housing stability.

Benton County’s Coordinated Homeless Response Office (CHRO) was awarded $900,000 through Housing 360 “to leverage available homes in the community to match with people in need of housing and coordinate pre-treatment services, secure housing, and behavioral health support services,” the Governor’s office announced in April.

Benton County is part of a small cohort of four organizations spanning both rural and metro areas who are participating in the pilot program, including Washington County, Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) in Wasco County, and Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action (MWVCAA) in Marion County.

Housing 360 is being administered by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), which provides technical assistance to the recipients and set outcome-based metrics for performance in a shared learning environment.

“We are building capacity among our housing and supportive services partners for people experiencing homelessness, with the goal of creating a system that is ‘ready to house,’” said Rebecca Taylor, Program Manager for Benton County’s Coordinated Homeless Response Office (CHRO).

“Our strategy includes housing focused outreach and case management that meets people where they are and follows them throughout their entire journey towards long-term housing stability.”

Funding and support for Housing 360 comes from Oregon Senate Bill 5701 (SB 5701), signed by Governor Kotek in 2024, which allocated $39 million to Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) for a statewide rehousing program to rapidly transition people from homelessness to permanent, stable, and safe housing.

The new program comes in addition to the existing pilot programs and funding Benton County’s CHRO has received to help house community members:

• In 2024, the CHRO launched the Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool (FHSP) Program with the help of $1.2 million from Oregon House Bill 5019 (HB 5019) with a goal of achieving long-term housing stability for 31 households by June 30, 2025.
• SB 5701 (2024) provided an additional $975,000 to Benton County and increased the rehousing goal by twenty (20) households, for a total of 51 households transitioned from homelessness into housing by June 30, 2025.

The CHRO is nearing completion of that goal. Since the program’s inception in July 2024, 47 households have moved into housing with wraparound services and support to maintain housing stability. These households include 58 adults and 46 children, totaling 104 people who have transitioned from homelessness into housing this past year.

“We are excited about the successes we’ve seen in this community as a result of investments from state and local partners, but we know we still have a long way to go,” said Taylor.

“The additional funding and goals set up through Housing 360 will help sustain the capacity we’ve built through the FHSP and allow us to focus our efforts on connecting some of our most vulnerable community members to housing and critical supports. We continue to seek additional funding to carry this work forward.”

Benton County will use the FHSP as a centralized hub to administer the Housing 360 funding. They estimate it will initially serve a minimum of 15 households through coordination of pretreatment services to secure housing and behavioral health supports, and hope to grow that work to serve even more community members.

For more information on Benton County’s Coordinated Homeless Response Office (CHRO) and their Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool (FHSP) program, visit https://health.bentoncountyor.gov/coordinated-homeless-response/

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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.

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Español

El Condado de Benton anuncia un nuevo financiamiento y da vivienda a 47 familias

Miércoles, 14 de mayo, 2025

CORVALLIS, OR.— El Condado de Benton participa en Vivienda 360, un nuevo programa piloto lanzado esta primavera por la Gobernadora Kotek para conectar a las personas con enfermedades mentales con servicios y estabilidad habitacional.

La Oficina de Respuesta Coordinada para Personas sin Hogar (CHRO por sus siglas en inglés) del Condado de Benton recibió $900,000 a través de Vivienda 360 "para aprovechar las viviendas disponibles en la comunidad y conectarlas con personas que necesitan un hogar y coordinar servicios de pretratamiento, vivienda segura y servicios de apoyo para la salud mental", anunció la oficina de la gobernadora en abril.

El Condado de Benton es parte de un pequeño grupo de cuatro organizaciones que abarcan áreas rurales y metropolitanas y que participan en el programa piloto, entre ellas el Condado de Washington, Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) en el Condado de Wasco y Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action (MWVCAA) en el Condado de Marion.

 Vivienda 360 está siendo administrado por los Servicios de Vivienda y Comunidad de Oregón (OHCS por sus siglas en inglés), que brindan asistencia técnica a los beneficiarios y establecen métricas basadas en resultados para el desempeño en estas colaboraciones.

“Estamos fortaleciendo la capacidad de nuestros socios en vivienda y servicios de apoyo para personas sin hogar, con el objetivo de crear un sistema que esté listo para ofrecer vivienda”, dijo Rebecca Taylor, Gerente de Programa de la Oficina de Respuesta Coordinada para Personas sin Hogar (CHRO) del Condado de Benton.

“Nuestra estrategia incluye actividades de alcance comunitario y manejo de casos centrados en la vivienda, que se adaptan a las personas en su situación actual y las acompañan durante todo su proceso hacia la estabilidad habitacional a largo plazo”.

El financiamiento y el apoyo para Vivienda 360 provienen del Proyecto de Ley del Senado de Oregón 5701 (SB 5701), firmado por la Gobernadora Kotek en 2024, que asignó $39 millones a los Servicios de Vivienda y Comunidad de Oregón (OHCS) para un programa estatal de realojamiento que permita una rápida transición de las personas sin hogar a una vivienda permanente, estable y segura.

El nuevo programa se suma a los programas piloto existentes y al financiamiento que la CHRO del Condado de Benton ha recibido para ayudar a dar vivienda a los miembros de la comunidad:

• En 2024, la CHRO lanzó el Programa de Fondo de Subsidio de Vivienda Flexible (FHSP por sus siglas en inglés) con la ayuda de $1.2 millones del Proyecto de Ley 5019 de la Cámara de Representantes de Oregón (HB 5019), con el objetivo de lograr estabilidad habitacional a largo plazo para 31 hogares para el 30 de junio de 2025.
• La SB 5701 (2024) proporcionó $975,000 adicionales al Condado de Benton y aumentó la meta de realojamiento en veinte (20) hogares, para un total de 51 hogares que pasarán de la situación de calle a vivienda para el 30 de junio de 2025.

La CHRO está a punto de alcanzar esa meta. Desde el inicio del programa en julio de 2024, 47 hogares se han mudado a viviendas con servicios integrales y apoyo para mantener la estabilidad habitacional. Estos hogares incluyen a 58 adultos y 46 niños, lo que suma un total de 104 personas que han pasado de no tener vivienda a tener una vivienda durante el año pasado.

“Estamos entusiasmados con los éxitos que hemos visto en esta comunidad gracias a las inversiones de los socios estatales y locales, pero sabemos que aún nos queda mucho camino por recorrer”, dijo Taylor.
 

“Los fondos adicionales y las metas establecidas a través del programa Vivienda 360 ayudarán a mantener la capacidad que hemos desarrollado a través del FHSP y nos permitirán centrar nuestros esfuerzos en conectar a algunos de los miembros más vulnerables de nuestra comunidad con vivienda y apoyos esenciales. Seguimos buscando fondos adicionales para continuar con este trabajo”.

El Condado de Benton usará el FHSP como organización central para administrar los fondos del programa Vivienda 360. Se calculan que inicialmente atenderá a un mínimo de 15 hogares mediante la coordinación de servicios de pretratamiento para garantizar la vivienda y los apoyos de salud mental y se espera ampliar este trabajo para atender a muchos más miembros de la comunidad.

Para obtener más información sobre la Oficina de Respuesta Coordinada para Personas sin Hogar (CHRO) del Condado de Benton y su programa de Fondo de Subsidio de Vivienda Flexible (FHSP), visite https://health.bentoncountyor.gov/coordinated-homeless-response/

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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.