PUBLIC COMMENTS REQUESTED

Benton County Planning Division is using Konveio, an interactive public engagement website, to solicit public input about proposed changes made to the County's Development Code.
Marijuana and Hemp Code Amendments


Click the hyperlink above and make comments regarding amendments within the documents. The commenting period closes September 30, 2019 at 5pm. 

If you have any questions please contact Inga Williams at 541-766-6819 or [email protected].

Industrial Zoning Code Amendments

Amendments are shown using strike-through and underline formatting: https://bentoncogov.konveio.com/proposed-code-amendments-industrial-zone-chapters.

Click the hyperlink above and make comments regarding amendments within the documents. The commenting period closes September 30, 2019 at 5pm. 

If you have any questions please contact Linsey Godwin at 541-766-6819 or [email protected].
Commissioners declare September 15 - October 15 Hispanic Heritage Month

The Benton County Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation on September 3, 2019 that marks September 15 to October 15 as a month-long observance of Hispanic heritage and the service, histories and cultures of Hispanic Americans who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

Rocio Muñoz, Benton County Equity and Inclusion Policy Specialist, attended the Board meeting and read the proclamation aloud in Spanish. 

"It is so important to create the space in local government and in our communities to honor Hispanic/Latino heritage and recognize the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion. I am grateful to our Board for continuing to advance progress in these areas, and for the opportunity to participate in this year's proclamation," said Muñoz.

Kicking off Hispanic heritage month is the Festival Latino at Monteith Riverpark in Albany, Oregon on September 15, hosted by the Linn Benton Hispanic Advisory Committee. Learn more about the fun run, kid activities, music and more at https://www.facebook.com/events/485652808907362/.

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Los Comisionados del Condado Benton declaran del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre el Mes de la Herencia Hispana.
 
La Junta de Comisionados del Condado Benton presentaron una proclamación el 3 de septiembre de 2019 que marca del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre el mes de la herencia hispana y el servicio, las historias y las culturas de los hispanoamericanos que tienen sus raíces en España, México, el Caribe y América Central y del Sur. [Hipervínculo: proclamación de texto completo]
 
Rocio Muñoz, especialista en políticas de equidad e inclusión del Condado Benton, asistió a la reunión de la Junta y leyó la proclamación en voz alta en español.
 
 "Es muy importante crear el espacio en el gobierno local y en nuestras comunidades para honrar la herencia hispana/latina y reconocer la importancia de la equidad, la diversidad y la inclusión. Estoy agradecida a nuestros Comisionados por seguir avanzando en estas áreas y por la oportunidad de participar en la proclamación de este año”, dijo Muñoz.
 
 El mes de inicio de la herencia hispana es el Festival Latino en Monteith Riverpark en Albany, Oregon, el 15 de septiembre, organizado por el Comité Asesor Hispano de Linn y Benton. Obtenga más información sobre la carrera divertida, actividades para niños y música en https://www.facebook.com/events/485652808907362/.
North Albany County Park hazardous tree removal starts this month

Ongoing Douglas Fir Tree die-off in North Albany County Park, has prompted the Benton County Natural Areas and Parks Department to start a hazard tree removal project this September.

Work is scheduled to begin September 16 and conclude September 20 after felling, sorting, and trucking occurs.

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/BentonGov-NAlbanyTrees or contact Adam Stebbins, Benton County Natural Resources Coordinator at 541-250-6209 or [email protected].  
City of Monroe receives 2019 Long Tom Watershed Outstanding Community Partner Award

The city of Monroe is the recipient of one of the Long Tom Watershed’s Outstanding Community Partner Award. This is in recognition of the City’s involvement in working to identify practical solutions on the lower Long Tom River and for its tremendous dedication to tackling big picture ideas.

The City will be presented an award at the Long Tom Watershed’s Annual Celebration on Thursday, September 26th.
No Interruption in Amtrak Connector Service

Recently, Benton County announced that the Corvallis to Amtrak Connector service would be temporarily suspended for lack of funding. Staff was subsequently able to secure short term funding from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to keep the Amtrak Connector running.

For more information concerning the Amtrak Connector service or the timing and design for the future service Coast to Valley Express service, visit http://bit.ly/BentonGov-AmtrakConnector or contact Lisa Scherf at 541-754-1759. 
Irish Bend Covered Bridge Rehabilitation Project launches September 2019
The Irish Bend Covered Bridge rehabilitation project is scheduled to go out for bid in September 2019, with construction to follow in fall 2019. 

The bridge provided access across the Willamette Slough on Irish Bend Road from 1954 to 1975, and was dismantled in 1988.

An agreement was reached between Benton County and Oregon State University to reconstruct it on university property in Corvallis in the 1990's. The bridge site crosses Oak Creek and is part of the Campus Way Multi-Use Path that travels through the research farm between 35th and 53rd Streets on the west side of campus.
 
Maintenance has been deferred since it was re-located. The estimated construction cost for the rehabilitation project is $305,000, and will include funding sources from the State Transportation Enhancement Discretionary Funds Federal Covered Bridge Preservation Program.

The Irish Bend Covered Bridge was listed to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, but was removed when it was moved from its original location. The bridge was relisted to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/BentonGov-IrishBendRehab please contact Engineering and Survey Program Manager, Laurel Byer at 541-766-6013 or [email protected].
[email protected]    //  541-766-6800 //   www.co.benton.or.us