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Watch this video and hear what volunteers, staff, and community members have to say about their local resource center for unhoused and housing-insecure members of the Benton County community.
The Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center is doing a lot with a little to give a hand up to some of the most vulnerable populations in Benton County. The community-based resource hub provides information, referrals, job placement, and direct services for people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Benton County and beyond.
“The drop-in center exists because people need to feel loved and understand that they’re cared for and have a social community that they can be a part of and feel safe,” said Allison Hobgood, executive director of the Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center.
Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center, in collaboration with Benton County, is seeking additional support from state legislators to help build a navigation center that will provide 24-7 shelter and crucial services to county residents who are experiencing homelessness.
In alignment with policy recommendations from Benton County’s Home, Opportunity, Planning, and Equity (HOPE) Advisory Board, the navigation center will support systems-level outcomes to improve data coordination, care coordination, augment sheltering, identify and address gaps in services, and provide a one-stop resource center for people most in need.
Contact healthdeptcommunications@bentoncountyor.gov to learn more.
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El Drop-in Center, localizado en el Condado de Benton ofrece un espacio seguro para personas sin hogar y con una vivienda insegura
Mire este video (video en inglés) y escuche lo que los voluntarios, el personal y los miembros de la comunidad tienen que decir acerca de su centro de recursos local para miembros de la comunidad del Condado de Benton que no tienen vivienda o que tienen una vivienda insegura.
El Drop-in Center de Corvallis está haciendo mucho con poco para ayudar a algunas de las personas más vulnerables del Condado de Benton. El centro de recursos ofrece información, refiere a otras ayudas, conexiones a propuestas de trabajo y servicios directos para personas sin hogar y de bajos recursos en el Condado de Benton y más allá.
“El Drop-in Center existe porque las personas necesitan sentirse queridas y comprender que están protegidas y que tienen una comunidad de la que pueden ser parte y sentirse seguras”, dijo Allison Hobgood, Directora Ejecutiva de Daytime Drop-in Center de Corvallis.
El Daytime Drop-in Center de Corvallis, en colaboración con el Condado de Benton, está buscando apoyo adicional de los legisladores estatales para ayudar a construir un centro de navegación que brindará refugio las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana y servicios muy importantes a los habitantes del condado que no tienen hogar.
Siguiendo las recomendaciones de las políticas de la Junta Asesora de Hogar, Oportunidad, Planificación y Equidad (HOPE) del Condado de Benton, el centro de navegación respaldará los resultados a nivel de sistemas para mejorar la coordinación de datos, la coordinación de la atención, aumentar el alojamiento, identificar y atender las insuficiencias en los servicios y ofrecer un centro de recursos integral para las personas más necesitadas.
Póngase en contacto con healthdeptcommunications@bentoncountyor.gov para obtener más información.
The Benton County Board of Commissioners is aware that advocates are circulating a petition asking the Board to delay its consideration of any land use action at Coffin Butte landfill until after the County has completed a sustainable materials management plan.
The following message was delivered by Benton County Board Chair Pat Malone at the Benton County Board of Commissioners Meeting on March, 21, 2023:
While we appreciate the level of interest in Benton County’s solid waste and disposal future, we have consistently asked community members, including our Planning Commission, Solid Waste Advisory Council, and Disposal Site Advisory Committee to focus their comments to the Workgroup as the “One Table” for issues related to solid waste and disposal, including Coffin Butte landfill.
Over the past year, dozens of community members have invested substantial time and energy into that constructive effort and we continue to ask all interested community members to direct comments to the solid waste process work group at bentoncountytalkstrash@bentoncountyor.gov.
To be clear, Benton County has not received any new application at the landfill and the County will not prematurely judge or take a position on any land use application.
Regarding the petition, it asks the Board of Commissioners to take action that is outside of our scope of authority under Oregon law and is asking us to take one or more actions that could jeopardize the County’s ability to manage the decision-making process, instead turning the action over to the landfill operator and Oregon courts.
Importantly, when any land use application is filed in the state of Oregon, a local government, including Benton County, must take final action within 150 days of receiving the complete application. If Benton County were to delay taking action, that would open the door for an applicant to take action in circuit court that could compel judicial approval of the proposal.
The Board is committed to keep land use decision-making authority here in our community, where we can hear from all voices directly, and then decide fairly and objectively what is right for our future.
We think that makes sense for the future of our community, for the Willamette Valley, and for Oregon. Thank you for your collaborative participation in this important discussion.
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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 Cory Grogan at 541-745-4468 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.
Benton County is teaming with Oregon State University researchers, state and federal agency partners, County Commissioners, industry leaders, non-profit advocates, and other key stakeholders for an “In the Know about H20” discussion at the Willamette Valley Planners Network Meeting, Thursday, March 23 from 3-5 p.m. at the Benton County Kalapuya Building in Corvallis.
The session will provide colleagues working on a wide range of water issues the opportunity to discuss the future of water in the Willamette Valley and the importance of individual and collective water resource management.
“These researchers, legislators, and change-makers who have common understandings and different perspectives about water security are coming together for an important discussion,” said Shannon Bush. “Researchers will highlight how their latest work may directly inform and/or impact water scarcity, access, or quality issues in local communities.”
OSU research presentations will be followed by a panel discussion focused on identifying opportunities to improve collaboration and partnerships, resource sharing, and envisioning the future of water security in the Willamette Valley.
WHEN: Thursday, March 23, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis, OR 97333
WHAT and WHY:
- 45 mins: OSU researchers will each have 5 minutes for a “lightning round” to present their latest research and findings. This is meant to share state-of-the-art research related to and impacts planners, communities, etc.
- 45 mins-1 hour: Moderated panel discussion tying in some of the OSU researchers’ findings and recommendations with panelists asking thought-provoking questions of the group, trying to consider ways to address water access, security, scarcity, quality, etc.
- 20-30 mins: Open forum Q&A among attendees.
WHO:
| “Lightning Round” speakers include: |
Dr. Meghna Babbar-Sebens, OSU, Associate Professor of Water Resources Engineering and Co-Director of the OSU-Benton County Green Stormwater Infrastructure (OGSIR) Facility |
Dr. Xue Jin, Assistant Professor, Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering (drinking water expert) |
Dr. Salini Sasidharan, Assistant Professor, Biological and Ecological Engineering, College of Agriculture (groundwater management expertise) |
Dr. Mary Santelmann, Professor, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences (wetlands ecology, biogeography expertise) |
Dr. Abigail Tomasek, Assistant Professor and Statewide Soil Water Quality Extension Specialist, Crop and Soil Science, College of Agriculture |
Dr. Mohammed F. Azizian, Faculty Research Associate, School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering |
Andrew Millison, Senior Instructor, Dept. of Horticulture and founder of Permaculture Design |
Stephen Gingerich, U.S.G.S. Research Hydrologist |
| Panelists include: |
Xanthippe Augerot, Benton County Commissioner |
J. Rose Wallick, U.S.G.S. Hydrologist at Oregon Water Resource Center |
Dr. Todd Jarvis, Institute for Water & Watersheds (water policy and governance expertise) |
Sean Scorvo, Benton County Planning Commissioner |
James Thom, Operations Director, HP |
Darren Nichols, Benton County Community Development Director, Panel Moderator |
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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 call Cory Grogan at 541-745-4468 or email pioinfo@co.benton.or.us.
The Corvallis League of Women Voters hosted representatives from Benton County and other community organizations, March 14, for an educational forum about the County’s facilities bond measure that will be on the May 2023 ballot. More than 50 community members were in attendance.
Commissioner Xan Augerot and Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall provided a brief presentation detailing components of the Justice System Improvement Program and proposed measure 2-140, which would fund community safety, mental health, and homelessness services facilities in Benton County.
“The planning process started in 2018 with a comprehensive assessment of the entire justice system. Some of the recommendations have been implemented with existing County funds or other state and federal funding and are not part of the bond measure,” said Augerot. “Those facilities include the downtown mental health crisis center and the new courthouse and District Attorney’s offices to be located on the new community safety and justice campus.”
The proposed facilities selected for inclusion in the bond were determined through a multi-year, community-involved planning process. If passed, Measure 2-140 would fund the following projects:
- A co-located Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Operations Center to improve coordination during major events and natural disasters, and to improve emergency response.
- A new correctional facility with increased capacity (up to 120 beds) and dedicated areas to provide mental health and addiction services.
- Expanded and redesigned spaces for the Children and Family Program mental health services for youth and families.
- Funding for homelessness services facilities, with a preferred option of a homelessness services housing and navigation center, in partnership with Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center, to help people build pathways out of homelessness.
Estimated costs for proposed bond projects total $110 million:
| Correctional facility | $64.3 M |
| Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Operations Center | $40.4 M |
| Expanded Youth Mental Health Facilities | $1.5 M |
| Funding for Homelessness Navigation Center | $3 M |
| Bond issuance costs | $800,000 |
Commissioner Augerot outlined details of the proposed facilities and shared that if the bond measure passes, the bond levy rate would be an estimated $0.55 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The cost would be an estimated $142 per year for a Benton County home with a median tax-assessed value of $258,596. The actual levy rate may differ due to changes in interest rates and assessed value. If the bond does not pass, the proposed facilities would not be built, and property taxes would not increase.
In addition to Commissioner Augerot and Sheriff Van Arsdall, speakers included Laura Hennum, CEO of Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center and Allison Hobgood, Executive Director of the Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center, who spoke about the challenges in mental health crisis services and providing resources for those experiencing homelessness in Benton County. Panelists for the question-and-answer period included the speakers and Benton County Chief Financial Officer Rick Crager and Deputy Director of Benton County Behavioral Health Department, Damien Sands.
“The panel was amazing and really brought out the connectedness of all the services of Benton County and other providers. The League of Women Voters of Corvallis was pleased to have a panel of experts who could explain what is included in the bond measure as well as answer questions from an engaged audience,” said LWV board member and event coordinator Sara Ingle.
To learn more about the bond measure, visit www.bentoncountyjustice.org.
In 2022, the Benton County Health Department, in collaboration with the Partnership for Community Health: Linn, Benton & Lincoln Counties, began a regional community health assessment and improvement planning process. The regional health assessment (CHA) phase of the process is now complete, and the Partnership for Community Health is ready to share the results with the community and gather input on key health issues to include in the regional community health improvement plan (CHIP). The CHIP guides how the region focuses resources that are working to improve the health of all people who live, work, learn and play in Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties.
The Partnership will hold two virtual community conversations to review the key health themes from the data and seek community input on priorities for the regional CHIP.
- March 22, 2023, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. (Virtual)
- Register: https://bit.ly/Regional_Conversation1
- April 4, 2023, 10:00 -11:00 a.m. (Virtual)
- Register: https://bit.ly/Regional_Conversation_2
In person community conversations will also be held for Spanish- and Arabic-speaking populations. For more opportunities to participate in community conversations, visit: https://bit.ly/RegionalCHIP-GetInvolved
Other ways to get involved
Attendance at a community conversation is encouraged, but not required to contribute to the planning process. Community members can also access a copy of the presentation and vote on their priorities by accessing the following links:
For inquiries or additional information: BentonHealthyCommunties@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 contact Cory Grogan at 541-745-4468 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov
The Benton County Board of Commissioners is inviting community members to “talk trash” and learn more about the future of sustainable materials management, solid waste, and disposal in Benton County.
Community members have already volunteered thousands of hours on the County’s Solid Waste Process Workgroup to provide feedback to Benton County and key stakeholders for a constructive path forward relating to sustainable materials management and the future of solid waste disposal in the Mid-Willamette Valley, including at the Coffin Butte regional landfill.
The Workgroup has developed findings and recommendations, and now the community has the opportunity to weigh in about topics that affect landfill size, capacity, and longevity as well as the County’s Sustainable Materials Management Plan (SMMP), past Land Use Application Conditions, land use review, and community education.
“Transparency and openness have been the key to this effort, and we are continuing to engage with community members who have diverse perspectives in addition to key stakeholders, Republic Services, adjacent counties, and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality,” said Benton County Commissioner Pat Malone. “It is important to work with the community on a long-term strategy for solid waste and disposal.”
Benton County is seeking feedback from the community:
- March 16 and 23: Extended public comment periods at the Workgroup meetings.
- March 16-22: Survey to provide feedback on the Workgroup’s draft recommendations.
- Feedback on workgroup recommendations (link to go live on Thursday, March 16 at 12:00 p.m.)
- April 3: Final Workgroup report will be available online on the Solid Waste Process Workgroup webpage.
- April 4: In-person Community Open House (RSVP to pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov)
- 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., 4500 Research Way, Corvallis
- April 11: Additional public comment period opens.
- Final report will be available online on the Benton County Board of Commissioners home page.
For more information, or to RSVP for the in-person open house, please email pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.
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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 call Cory Grogan at 541-745-4468 or email pioinfo@co.benton.or.us.
Due to severe weather conditions and the expectation for icy roads tomorrow morning, the Benton County Board of Commissioners have decided County offices will delay opening to the public until 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 1, except for essential services. Employees can call the emergency information line: 541-766-6058 or email pioinfo@co.benton.or.us for more information.
The public is encouraged to use online resources to access Benton County services when possible. For more information contact pioinfo@co.benton.or.uspioinfo@co.benton.or.us.
Roads will likely be affected. Don't travel on icy roads if you don't need to. If you have to drive, plan ahead, keep it slow, and give yourself extra travel time.
Visit https://www.weather.gov/ for weather updates.
For road conditions, visit: https://tripcheck.com/ or call 511.
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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 Cory Grogan at 541-745-4468 or pioinfo@co.benton.or.us.