County requires face coverings in all facilities beginning August 3 |
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On July 27, 2021, the Oregon Health Authority recommended universal mask use for all public indoor settings, and on July 30, Governor Kate Brown directed all state employees (regardless of vaccination status) in any indoor state agency space to wear face coverings; the requirement also applies to visitors and customers who enter state agency indoor spaces.
Benton County continues to prioritize the health and safety of employees and community members. As of Tuesday, August 3, all Benton County employees and members of the public are required to wear face coverings in any indoor County facility. Benton County will provide face masks for community members at the main entrance to indoor County facilities. Signage alerting individuals that face coverings are required when visiting our indoor facilities has been posted. Thank you for your continued help to keep our community safe.
Board of Commissioner meetings and advisory committee meetings remain open to the public and are available online through GoToMeeting and streaming on Facebook.
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Since February 2020, the County and consultant DLR Group, have been working collaboratively with two advisory committees, the City of Corvallis, and other stakeholders to create three conceptual designs of proposed new justice system facilities for the public’s consideration. The conceptual design work followed a two-year assessment of the County’s justice system. Results from the assessment confirmed that community members would like a modern justice system that builds trust, provides safety, holds offenders accountable and provides treatment to help people rejoin the community as productive neighbors, parents, and family members.
Benton County is working hard to learn from the community by listening to ideas, concerns, and feedback in order to craft a final proposal that has wide support. Through small group meetings, speaking engagements, one-to-one conversations, and large online meetings, we hope to reach as many community members as possible this year.
Benton County values your feedback. Find out when the next community meeting is and review the Public Involvement Plan to learn more about how the program plans to engage the community over the coming year. You can also sign up for updates and share your ideas about the need and location for new proposed buildings to serve Benton County residents for the next 40 years and beyond.
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Benton County facility updates |
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4500 Research Way
Phase I framing was completed in mid-July by Gerding Builders. Removal of the existing slab for installation of the new egress stairs is complete and excavation for plumbing tie-in is almost finished.
Departments that will relocate after completion of Phase I include Records & Elections, Assessment, and the Board of Commissioners offices. The estimated timeline for completion of Phase I is early October. Phase II renovations are on schedule to begin immediately upon completion of Phase I.
Benton County's Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Coordinator is actively working with the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde to help with naming the facility. The Tribes are also invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the newly renovated building this Fall.
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Law Enforcement Building
Benton County received a grant from Pacific Power’s Blue Sky Program to install over 96 kW of renewable energy on the Law Enforcement Building. The solar array is scheduled for installation this summer, and will bring our total renewable energy to over 320 kW of solar installed across five facilities.
The Blue Sky funding makes up more than 65% of the project’s costs. Without their help, this project would not have been possible.
Solar allows the County to generate more of its own electricity and save on energy costs - which means we can dedicate more of our budget to our core mission of serving the residents of Benton County.
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Thank you to our partners!
With the high temperatures forecasted across the Willamette Valley from July 29-31, several cooling centers were made available for community members without access to cool shelters.
Cooling shelters were made possible by our partners at the Alsea Community Library, Alsea Health Center, Corvallis Community Center, Corvallis-Benton Library, Monroe Community Library, Monroe Arts Association, Philomath Fire Department, and Philomath Community Library.
With high temperatures forecasted again in the coming week, be sure to check our cooling centers page for a list of available cooling shelters in Benton County. Cooling centers will be listed with each separate high heat event.
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New branding, same great service!
Have you seen our newly branded buses and accessible vans driving around the County?
Benton County’s transit program launched its new brand in May. Formally known as the Special/Rural Transit Program, and often referred to by the name of the County’s contractor, Dial-a-Bus, the rebrand brings with it a new name: Benton Area Transit (affectionately known as BAT), logo and color scheme.
"We are very excited to raise the visibility of the crucial services the BAT provides", shared Public Works director Gary Stockhoff. “Our hope in creating the brand is to help our community members identify our services and make transit throughout the county feel accessible.” The core demand-response service to seniors and people with disabilities has been named “ BAT Lift.” The general public transit services remain Coast to Valley Express and 99 Express.
In addition to the Benton Area Transit rebrand, the transit program has a new service phone number at 541-766-6700 where individuals can call with questions about our services, provide feedback, and/or request a ride.
The new transit website, RideTheBAT.com, hosts information about the services the program provides to the community. Real-time passenger information is currently available on the website, showing where the BAT buses are and when they will arrive at stops. In addition, general public transit services can now be found on the Transit App, where passenger can purchase passes and fares through the app.
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County partners with OHA and FEMA on vaccination clinics
Benton County recently collaborated with the Oregon Health Authority and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to host vaccination clinics in Monroe, Philomath and Alsea.
All Individuals 12 and older were eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at these events. Individuals who received their COVID-19 vaccine at the clinics received a $100 gift card and a nonperishable food box, while supplies lasted.
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Questions?
Benton County Public Information Office
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