Effective December 3, 2020: Oregon’s Risk and Protection Framework

Governor Brown's two-week freeze ended December 2, 2020. Yesterday, Benton County was placed in the HIGH sector risk level, under the Oregon Health Authority's (OHA) risk and protection framework.

County risk levels will be updated every two weeks. The OHA will continue to examine and publish county weekly data, but county risk levels will not change until the end of the second week. During the first week, counties will be given warning week data to prepare for potential risk level changes. In the second week, county risk levels will be updated based on that week’s data.

New look coming soon

The new year is bringing exciting changes to Benton County! On January 1, 2021 the County will launch a new brand complete with a new logo and color palette.

Our priority in creating this new brand was to build a brand that reflects the community it represents. That's why we engaged key community members and organizations from across the county to ensure that our new look was welcoming, inclusive and dynamic. We’re excited to share our new look with you in January. In the meantime, take a look at some of the amazing geography and landmarks that informed our design.
HOPE Advisory Board seeks public input on four priority areas

The Home, Opportunity, Planning, and Equity (HOPE) Advisory Board to Benton County and the City of Corvallis is collecting public feedback on four priority topics. This feedback will inform the Board’s work as it pursues decent, safe and affordable housing for everyone within Benton County.

Community members who would like to provide input can participate in any or all of the four surveys on the HOPE Community Engagement webpage. The surveys will close at the end of December 2020. In addition to the surveys, the HOPE Advisory Board has listening session-style meetings scheduled over the next month. Many of these meetings are open to the public. Open meetings have links posted for members of the public to join and provide feedback.

Surveys for Public Feedback through December 31, 2020

County offices open for business, close public access through January 1, 2021

On November 18, 2020, Benton County closed public access to all lobbies and meeting spaces through January 1, 2021.

This change does not apply to the Community Health Centers of Benton and Linn Counties. All other public lobbies are scheduled to reopen Monday, January 4, 2021. County services remain available online, over the phone, and in some cases, in-person by appointment.

Board of Commissioner meetings and advisory committee meetings remain open to the public and are available online through GoToMeeting.

Service adjustments were made in accordance with Governor Brown's Two-Week Freeze announcement on Friday, November 13, 2020. Although there is limited public access to county buildings, county business operations will continue to serve the public.

County Board proclamation thanks OSU Extension 4-H for volunteerism during 2020 wildfires

County commissioners unanimously approved a proclamation last month to recognize and thank volunteers with OSU Extension’s 4-H program for their exceptional assistance at the Benton County Fairgrounds during the 2020 wildfire response.

A portion of the proclamation reads:

“Over 60 OSU Extension 4-H members from 10 clubs volunteered at the fairgrounds to provide round-the-clock care for approximately 200 evacuated animals, including horses, goats, pigs, sheep, cattle and rabbits. 4-H volunteers also worked with Benton County Rodeo Committee members to feed and water livestock, and clean pens, in addition to providing much needed sympathy and attention to traumatized animals. Through Extension, OSU veterinarians were brought on-site daily to examine and support livestock health.”

Weekly COVID-19 videos

In November the the Joint Information Center (JIC) reduced video production to three times per week. Beginning in December, a Spanish video will be posted each Monday and an English video will be posted every Friday.


Since March, the Joint Information Center (JIC) has produced over 175 daily videos—and 42 of them in Spanish—to provide timely COVID-19 and wildfire information updates to our community.

Visit youtube.com/bentoncountygov and subscribe today!
Board revises emergency declaration through January 2021

Last month, the Benton County Board of Commissioners voted (3-0) to extend the COVID-19 emergency declaration through January 31, 2021. The Board made the decision to extend the emergency declaration through January due to the expected continued increase in COVID-19 cases through the fall and well into winter.

The extension of the emergency declaration allows the County to continue to access state and federal resources if the emergency response exceeds local capacity.

Left to right: Annabelle Jaramillo, Xan Augerot and Pat Malone (April 2019)
99 Express transit service resumes

The 99 Express remains fareless through the end of 2020.

The 99 Express service follows a new route and schedule, adding new stops in Adair Village and Corvallis. It operates five days-a-week with four daily runs between Corvallis and Adair Village.

pioinfo@co.benton.or.us   //  541-766-6800 //  www.co.benton.or.us
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