Benton Co. Government
Emergency Messages as of 4:28 am, Thu. Mar. 28
No information currently posted.
Subscribe to receive FlashAlert messages from Benton Co. Government.
Primary email address for a new account:

  
And/or follow our FlashAlerts via Twitter

About FlashAlert on Twitter:

FlashAlert utilizes the free service Twitter to distribute emergency text messages. While you are welcome to register your cell phone text message address directly into the FlashAlert system, we recommend that you simply "follow" the FlashAlert account for Benton Co. Government by clicking on the link below and logging in to (or creating) your free Twitter account. Twitter sends messages out exceptionally fast thanks to arrangements they have made with the cell phone companies.

Click here to add Benton Co. Government to your Twitter account or create one.

@https://twitter.com/BentonCoGov

Hide this Message


Manage my existing Subscription

News Releases
PHW_SP.png
PHW_SP.png
Benton County Commissioners to proclaim April 1-7 Public Health Week - Los Comisionados del Condado de Benton proclamarán la Semana de la Salud Pública del 1 al 7 de abril (Photo) - 03/27/24

 

On Tuesday, April 2, Benton County Commissioners will proclaim April 1-7, 2024, Public Health Week in Benton County to celebrate the 29th year of National Public Health Week. This year’s theme is “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health.”

Benton County’s observance celebrates the leadership, dedication, and innovation of many partners throughout the county, including the County Health Department, other local jurisdictions, community-based organizations, health systems, and many more.

“We know that we can’t do this work alone. We rely on strong partnerships with community-based organizations and diverse community members who help make this work possible,” said Benton County Commissioner Chair, Xanthippe Augerot.

The proclamation reading will take place during the regularly scheduled Board of Commissioners Meeting at 9:00 am on Tuesday, April 2. The community is invited to attend in person at the Benton County Kalapuya building, virtually via Zoom, or via livestream through Facebook. All meeting details can be found on the County website at: https://boc.bentoncountyor.gov/events/april-2-2024-tuesday-board-meeting/

The timing of Public Health Week coincides with the release of the Robert Wood Johnson County Health Rankings and Roadmap 2024 National Findings Report. These rankings look at different factors and conditions that affect the health and well-being of county residents and are made up of four categories: health behavior, clinical care, social and economic factors, and physical environment.

According to the rankings, Benton County is faring better than the average county in the nation for health factors and outcomes. While the rankings are positive, Benton County is committed to focusing on the many opportunities to work on improving the health for all people who live, work, and play in Benton County, particularly for marginalized populations and for those who experience difficulty achieving optimal health.

Sara Hartstein, Interim Deputy Director of Public Health at Benton County said, “We have a lot of work to do! While the efforts of the Health Department are vital to sustaining and improving community health, it takes every person in Benton County to bring compassion, expertise, innovation, and care to our community.”

###

 

El martes 2 de abril, los Comisionados del Condado de Benton proclamarán del 1 al 7 de abril de 2024 la Semana de la Salud Pública en el Condado de Benton para celebrar el 29.º año de la Semana Nacional de la Salud Pública. El tema de este año es "Proteger, conectar y prosperar: todos somos salud pública".

Este evento en el Condado de Benton celebra el liderazgo, la dedicación y la innovación de muchos socios en todo el condado, incluido el Departamento de Salud del condado, otras jurisdicciones locales, organizaciones comunitarias, sistemas de salud y muchos más.

“Sabemos que no podemos hacer este trabajo solos. Dependemos de sólidas relaciones con organizaciones y diversos miembros de la comunidad que ayudan a hacer posible este trabajo”, dijo el Presidente de los Comisionado del Condado de Benton, Xanthippe Augerot.

La lectura de la proclamación se llevará a cabo durante la reunión regular de la Junta de Comisionados a las 9:00 am del martes 2 de abril. Se invita a la comunidad a asistir en persona en el edificio Kalapuya del Condado de Benton, o virtualmente a través de Zoom o mediante la transmisión en vivo a través de Facebook. Todos los detalles de la reunión se pueden encontrar en el sitio web del condado en: https://boc.bentoncountyor.gov/events/april-2-2024-tuesday-board-meeting/

 La Semana de la Salud Pública coincide con la publicación del Informe Nacional de Resultados de la Hoja de Ruta y las Clasificaciones de Salud del Condado de Robert Wood Johnson 2024. Estas clasificaciones analizan diferentes factores y condiciones que afectan la salud y el bienestar de los residentes del condado y se componen de cuatro categorías: comportamiento de salud, atención clínica, factores sociales y económicos y entorno físico.

Según las clasificaciones, al Condado de Benton le está yendo mejor que al condado promedio del país en cuanto a factores y resultados de salud. Si bien las clasificaciones son positivas, el Condado de Benton se compromete a centrarse en las muchas oportunidades de trabajar para mejorar la salud de todas las personas que viven, trabajan y juegan en el Condado de Benton, particularmente para las poblaciones marginadas y para aquellos que experimentan dificultades para lograr una salud óptima.

Sara Hartstein, Subdirectora Interina de Salud Pública del Condado de Benton, dijo: “¡Tenemos mucho trabajo por hacer! Si bien los esfuerzos del Departamento de Salud son vitales para mantener y mejorar la salud de la comunidad, se necesita que cada persona en el Condado de Benton aporte compasión, experiencia, innovación y atención a nuestra comunidad”.

###

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 call Cory Grogan at 541-745-4468 or email pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov

Attached Media Files: PHW_SP.png , PHW_EN.png
1_Alsea_IMG_4758.jpg
1_Alsea_IMG_4758.jpg
Officials Hear From Alsea Residents at Government Corner (Photo) - 03/19/24

Alsea residents showed up to be heard by local elected officials on March 16 at the Alsea Community Library, where county and state officials gathered with around 40 locals to emphasize the importance of community participation in shaping the area's future.

The event, called Government Corner, saw the likes of Benton County Commissioner Xan Augerot, Benton County Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall, and State Senator Dick Anderson, among others, engaging with residents. 

One focus of the event was to encourage Alsea citizens to take an active role in the Alsea Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC), a platform designed to amplify local voices on county-level decisions.

Commissioner Augerot emphasized the significance, particularly as Benton County gears up to revise its Comprehensive Plan, a blueprint for future development. Augerot stressed that the best way for Alsea's concerns to be reflected in the plan is through active participation in the CAC, which is slated to meet in April.

The committee, composed of five voting members and two alternates living in or owning property in Alsea, currently has vacancies. New members will be elected during upcoming meetings, offering community members a direct channel to influence land use policies.

"Community involvement is key," Augerot said, acknowledging the diverse perspectives within Alsea. “While not every issue may be resolved, progress can be made through collaboration.”

One pressing issue for Alsea residents is the impact of land use restrictions on community growth. Limited housing options, property prices, and commercial development have underscored the need for comprehensive planning.

State Senator Anderson echoed these concerns, highlighting the balance between addressing housing shortages and preserving rural landscapes. He emphasized the importance of presenting unified community requests to policymakers, emphasizing Alsea's specific needs.

Beyond land use, residents raised a spectrum of concerns, from healthcare access to wildfire prevention and criminal justice reform. Representatives assured attendees of ongoing efforts to secure federal funding for critical services like the Alsea Health Clinic.

In a positive development, federal funding secured by Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley will facilitate improvements to the Alsea Sewer District, providing much-needed infrastructure upgrades.

Sheriff Van Arsdall also highlighted funding for improved first responder communications that will support rural fire departments. As the meeting ended, residents expressed gratitude for law enforcement's dedication and voiced optimism for the future of Alsea under collaborative County leadership.

To learn more about Citizen Advisory Committees (CAC) contact pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov 

###

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 call Cory Grogan at 541-745-4468 or email pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov

Oportunidad de Recursos
Oportunidad de Recursos
Benton County offers funding for case management & street outreach to support rehousing (Photo) - 03/15/24

***Español a continuación***

The Benton County Health Department is seeking applications from eligible entities to help support case management and street outreach services for the Coordinated Homeless Response Office’s Rapid Rehousing Initiative to reduce homelessness in Benton County.

Up to $360,000 is available for case management services and up to $80,000 for street outreach services. These services will play an important role in Benton County’s House Bill (HB) 5019 Rapid Rehousing Initiative that will coordinate a system of care to address and prevent homelessness through a Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool (FHSP) led by the Benton County Health Department. The goal of the HB 5019 Rapid Rehousing Initiative is to achieve long-term housing stability for 31 households by June 30, 2025.  

The Health Department is committed to sustaining effective strategies beyond the initial HB 5019 investments to support rapid rehousing. The goal of the FHSP is to coordinate a system of care that fully addresses the unique and complex needs and barriers of people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. 

The FHSP will work to achieve this goal by providing centralized access to:

  1. Housing navigation
  2. Tenancy supports
  3. Intensive case management
  4. Street outreach
  5. Rental subsidies 
  6. Landlord engagement and incentives

“We are grateful to our partners at Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) for this funding opportunity to support our community's coordinated response to homelessness,” said Interim Health Department Director, April Holland.  

“We have a strong network of housing and homeless service providers who play a critical role towards our shared vision that everyone in Benton County should have an opportunity to live in decent, safe, and affordable housing.” 

All provided services will be culturally responsive, low barrier, and ensure equitable access and outcomes through Housing First principles and evidence-based practices. Services will be provided with a health equity, trauma-informed, and harm reduction approach. Culturally responsive programs and services will be prioritized.

Interested organizations should review the Notice of Funding Opportunity on the Benton County website, available starting March 15, 2024. Proposals must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., April 15, 2024. Applications will be reviewed by a Benton County Health Department evaluation committee with a funding recommendation forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for final approval.  

For more information on this request for proposals, please contact Coordinated Homeless Response Office Project Manager, Rebecca Taylor, at 541-766-6787 or rebecca.taylor@bentoncountyor.gov


Español

El Condado de Benton ofrece fondos para la administración de casos y ayuda en las calles para colaborar con el realojamiento

El Departamento de Salud del Condado de Benton está pidiendo solicitudes de organizaciones que califiquen para colaborar con el proceso de administración de los servicios para personas bajo la Iniciativa de Realojamiento Rápido de la Oficina de Respuesta Coordinada para las Personas sin Hogar para reducir la falta de vivienda en el Condado de Benton.

Hay un total de $360,000 disponibles para servicios de administración de casos y $80,000 para servicios de alcance a la comunidad. Estos servicios desempeñarán un papel importante en la Iniciativa de Realojamiento Rápido bajo la Ley 5019 de la Camara de Representantes, del Condado de Benton que coordinará un sistema de atención para enfrentar y prevenir la falta de vivienda por medio de un Fondo de Ayudas de Vivienda Flexible (FHSP por sus siglas en inglés) dirigido por el Departamento de Salud del Condado de Benton. El objetivo de la Iniciativa de Realojamiento Rápido de la Ley 5019 es lograr estabilidad de vivienda a largo plazo para 31 hogares antes del 30 de junio de 2025.

El Departamento de Salud está comprometido a mantener estrategias efectivas más allá de las inversiones iniciales de la Ley 5019 para apoyar un realojamiento rápido. El objetivo del fondo FHSP es coordinar un sistema de atención que enfrente completamente las necesidades y las barreras únicas y difíciles de las personas que se encuentran sin hogar o en riesgo de quedarse sin hogar. 

El fondo FHSP trabajará para lograr este objetivo ofreciendo acceso centralizado a: 

  1. Navegación de vivienda
  2. Apoyos para poder rentar
  3. Servicios intensivos de apoyos
  4. Alcance a la comunidad
  5. Apoyo ecónomico para pagar la renta
  6. Compromiso e incentivos de los propietarios

"Estamos agradecidos con nuestros socios de Servicios Comunitarios y de Vivienda de Oregón (OHCS) por esta oportunidad de tener un fondo para apoyar la respuesta coordinada de nuestra comunidad a las personas sin hogar," dijo la directora interina del Departamento de Salud, April Holland. 

"Tenemos una sólida red de organizaciones de servicios de vivienda y para personas sin hogar que desempeñan un papel fundamental en nuestra visión compartida de que todos en el Condado de Benton deben tener la oportunidad de habitar en viviendas decentes, seguras y de bajo costo."

Todos los servicios ofrecidos serán culturalmente apropiados, de bajos requisitos y garantizarán acceso y resultados equitativos a través de los principios de Housing First (Vivienda Primero) y prácticas basadas en evidencia. Los servicios se brindarán con un enfoque de equidad en salud, no retraumatizar a las personas y ofrecer servicios con el proposito de reducir daños. Se darán prioridad a los programas y servicios culturalmente receptivos.

Las organizaciones interesadas deben revisar el Aviso de Oportunidad de Financiamiento (inglés solamente) en el sitio web del Condado de Benton, disponible a partir del 15 de marzo de 2024. Las propuestas deben enviarse en inglés a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. del 15 de abril de 2024. Las solicitudes serán revisadas por un comité de evaluación del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Benton con una recomendación de financiamiento enviada a la Junta de Comisionados para su aprobación final. 

Para obtener más información sobre esta solicitud de propuestas, comuníquese con la Gerente de Proyectos de la Oficina de Respuesta Coordinada para las Personas sin Hogar, Rebecca Taylor, al 541-766-6787 o Rebecca.taylor@bentoncountyor.gov.

###

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 call Cory Grogan at 541-745-4468 or email pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov

Sustainabillity_Coalition_DSC_1645.JPG
Sustainabillity_Coalition_DSC_1645.JPG
Environmental Stewardship on Display During Sustainability Coalition Fair & Town Hall (Photo) - 03/12/24

Benton County had the opportunity to showcase the part it plays in the betterment of the region during a recent local gathering. The Oregon State Alumni Center was a busy place on March 7 as an estimated 1,000 persons attended the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition’s annual Fair and Town Hall. 

The impact of our day-to-day actions on the environment and how each of us can promote its sustainability was the focus of the event. Benton County along with the county’s Soil and Water District, and many others participated to highlight important sustainability efforts. 

“As a community and as a nation our choices are dramatically changing the climate and biodiversity, both of which threaten the ecosystem on which our lives depend,” said Sustainability Coalition Co-Founder Annette Mills. “We live at a critical moment. We are in the midst of a great transition and each of us has the power to influence this transition through the daily choices we make through our work together.”

The evening kicked off with the annual Sustainability Fair, featuring hands-on exhibits. Fair Coordinator Donna Tarasawa said she thought the event went very well with an amazing turnout from the community. Attendees visited 54 booths with exhibitors sharing their sustainability work for the better in the community. 

“Such a wonderful group of people! They provided interesting interactions at their booths to engage people and help them understand more about being sustainable and making a lighter footprint on the planet,” said Tarasawa. 

The County’s booth was a popular spot where some attendees inquired about the Benton County Sustainable Materials Management Plan that will guide waste prevention and recovery efforts for years. 

“We’re dreaming big and are looking at the overall impact that products have when manufactured, transported, used and eventually discarded,” said Bailey Payne, Benton County Solid Waste Program Coordinator. “We’re striving to think holistically about the lifecycle of things. It’s an exciting time to be in this position.”

Children in attendance were also treated to activities like the County’s Stormwater Coloring and Puzzle activity book. 

The Benton County Soil and Water District promoted sustainable land management practices, soil health, native plants, pollinators, and keeping water resources clean with a hands-on demonstration distinguishing between clay, sand, and rich, organic loam soil. 

Following the Fair, activities shifted to the Alumni’s Center’s ballroom for the Town Hall portion of the evening. Three keynote speakers addressed the theme: “The Arts: A Portal to Sustainability.” 

The Town Hall also included the annual Community Scrapbook, a slide presentation highlighting the sustainability achievements of local organizations and businesses during the past year – actions that are moving our community toward environmental quality, social equity, and economic vitality.

The Corvallis Sustainability Coalition is a network of more than 350 partner organizations and hundreds of individual volunteers. Partner organizations include businesses, non-profits, faith communities, educational institutions, and government entities. The mission of the group is to promote an ecologically, socially, and economically healthy city and county. The Coalition’s action teams work on projects in 12 topic areas: Community Inclusion, Economic Vitality, Education, Energy, Food, Health and Human Services, Housing, Land Use, Natural Areas, Transportation, Waste Prevention, and Water.

View downloadable photos

###

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 call Cory Grogan at 541-745-4468 or email pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov

Benton County's new Assistant County Administrator Rick Crager
Benton County's new Assistant County Administrator Rick Crager
Benton County's Chief Financial Officer Rick Crager promoted to Assistant County Administrator (Photo) - 03/07/24

Benton County has announced the promotion of Rick Crager as the new Assistant County Administrator.

“Rick has demonstrated a proven track record in financial management and bringing teams together. He has been an invaluable addition to our leadership team,” said Benton County Administrator Rachel McEneny. “After working closely with Rick, it was an obvious choice.”

Crager has served as the County’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) since 2021 and served as interim County Administrator in September 2023. As CFO, Crager shepherded Benton County’s more than $485 million 2023-25 Biennium budget that passed in May of 2023. In that very same year, the County received a credit upgrade from Moody’s Investor Services.

Before joining Benton County, he dedicated over three decades to public service with the State of Oregon. His statewide leadership roles in finance and policy spanned various sectors including housing, education, transportation, and public safety, demonstrating his versatility and depth of expertise. Crager was also the former Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Information Technology for the Oregon Department of Education. In that role he collaborated closely with school districts across the state, overseeing the allocation and administration of crucial resources for Oregon’s schools. 

Crager is a lifelong Oregonian, and a graduate of Linfield College with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a special focus in Finance.

“Rick’s ability to foster relationships, drive strategic projects, and his long-term knowledge of Oregon will help us navigate through our challenges effectively,” McEneny said.


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 call Cory Grogan at 541-745-4468 or email pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov

IMG_0009.jpg
IMG_0009.jpg
Benton County Embarks on Groundbreaking Regional Sustainability Initiative (Photo) - 03/05/24

Responding to recommendations from the 2023 Solid Waste Process Workgroup, Benton County is moving forward with its commitment to a collaborative endeavor aimed at revolutionizing sustainable materials management in Western Oregon.

On March 5, the Benton County Commissioners approved recommendations to hire a consultant who will assist a task force to determine a path forward for a Sustainable Materials Management Plan for Western Oregon. Listen to the audio of the discussion from 1:08:50 to 1:36:09 here: Stream March 5, 2024 Board of Commissioners Meeting by Benton County, Oregon | Listen online for free on SoundCloud

"The proposed regional sustainable materials management plan is a significant departure from traditional solid waste practices toward a comprehensive approach considering the entire lifecycle of materials," said Benton County's Community Development Director, Darren Nichols. "By embracing this visionary strategy, we are striving to significantly reduce adverse environmental impacts while maximizing benefits for health, society, and the economy."

Benton County has commenced efforts to engage a diverse array of stakeholders with the following objectives:

  • Providing Western Oregon, including Benton County, with a practical roadmap to minimize negative impacts and maximize benefits across environmental, health, social, and economic dimensions of material management.
  • Exploring innovative ways to reduce waste throughout material lifecycles, by reducing initial use of non-recyclable materials and creating new processes and markets for high volume elements of our waste stream. addressing both current and future regional needs through collaborative efforts.
  • Focusing regional efforts by providing a forum for cooperation among jurisdictions, communities, and organizations.

The effort will leverage partnerships from neighboring counties, cities, agencies, and organizations across Western Oregon to collectively tackle the complexities of sustainable materials management with the following goals in mind:

  • Assessing existing facilities and emerging opportunities across Western Oregon.
  • Evaluating environmental footprints and exploring alternative practices.
  • Fostering innovation through research, pilot projects, and novel approaches.
  • Incorporating individual county interests within the framework of regional objectives.
  • Accounting for contextual factors such as community values, economic and environmental sustainability.

Recognizing both the magnitude and urgency of the task, Benton County anticipates a 24-36-month timeline for the development of a comprehensive plan, with a launch possible by early April.

"We have a unique opportunity for Western Oregon to unite in purpose and action. Together, we can pave the way toward sustainable materials management that safeguards our environment, enhances economic vitality, and secures the future for generations to come," said Benton County Board Chair Xan Augerot.

The Sustainable Materials Management Plan task force chair Steve Chase said the journey ahead is Western Oregon’s opportunity to responsibly unify counties, cities, and others relative to the entirety of the integrated waste management system.

“The coordination includes source reduction, growth of recycling and reuse markets, and understanding of research and emerging technologies,” said Chase. “I’m blessed to be a part of this region-wide effort where I can give back to the community in a meaningful way. I encourage others to step up and give their time, experience, and wit to important public policy initiatives like this.”

Community members can sign up to receive updates about the Sustainable Materials Management Plan or contact the Benton County Community Development Department with feedback or questions. 

Attached Media Files: IMG_0009.jpg
Tax-Envelope-1024x976.jpg
Tax-Envelope-1024x976.jpg
Benton County reminds businesses of March 15 deadline for Business Personal Property Returns (Photo) - 02/28/24

As the deadline approaches for Business Personal Property Returns, Benton County is reminding business owners to submit returns by March 15, 2024.

All businesses, including those operating as sole proprietors, partnerships, corporations, and LLCs, are required to file returns annually. The Business Personal Property Return includes information about assets such as equipment, machinery, furniture, and fixtures used in the operation of a business.

Oregon state law mandates that all business personal property be assessed for taxation purposes. These assessments are used to determine property taxes owed by businesses and are an essential source of revenue for funding local government services, including schools, roads, and public safety.

Failure to submit the Business Personal Property Return by the March 15 deadline may result in late filing penalties.

Business owners can obtain the necessary forms and instructions for filing their Business Personal Property Returns from the Benton County Assessor’s Office website or by contacting the office directly at 541-766-6855. Additionally, the Assessor’s Office staff are available to assist businesses with any questions or concerns they may have regarding the filing process.

For more information or assistance regarding Business Personal Property Returns, please contact the Benton County Assessor’s Office.


Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate based on 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 Cory Grogan at 541-745-4468 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

Attached Media Files: Tax-Envelope-1024x976.jpg