Benton County News - November 2021

November 2021

Oregon Health Authority expands eligibility for COVID-19 boosters; approves mix-and-match booster dose

On October 22, the Oregon Health Authority announced new guidelines recommending a booster dose of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Recipients of the Moderna vaccine may receive a booster six months after completing their primary vaccination series, and recipients of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine may receive a booster two months after receiving their first dose.

Eligibility for boosters was announced for the following groups:

Moderna and Pfizer

65 years of age and older.
18 years and older at high risk of severe COVID-19 (underlying conditions).
18 years and older with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to COVID-19 (including individuals in long term care settings).

Johnson & Johnson

18 years or older who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Learn more

Commissioners defer site selection for justice system campus

Benton County’s Justice System Improvement Program hosted its second large virtual community meeting on October 13.

The County summarized the previous four months of public engagement efforts and provided opportunity for comment. Participants learned more about the site selection process and criteria, locations and concepts currently proposed, and heard from each of the commissioners about their personal considerations ahead of final site selection deliberations.

The site selection decision for Benton County’s Justice System Improvement Program has been delayed as Commissioners and program staff review public engagement findings and evaluate all available options.

Originally scheduled to take place at the October 19 Board of Commissioners Meeting, one of several site decisions is now scheduled to take place at a special Commission Meeting on Tuesday, November 30. A purchase and sale agreement must be made by December 1 for the south site and December 16 for the west site.

Learn more

Benton County Fairgrounds hosts public meeting on design of new facilities

The Benton County Event Center and Fairgrounds hosted a virtual public meeting on October 26, where LRS Architects facilitated discussions to gather input from the community on the architectural design of a new exhibit hall and covered arena. Feedback was collected to ensure the County will support the needs of future community events and activities.

In 2019, the Benton County Event Center and Fairgrounds Facilities Master Plan was updated and approved by the Board of Commissioners. The master plan addresses facility needs and includes recommendations to help the County achieve the Fairgrounds’ mission to operate a community event center that serves both residents and visitors. The master plan calls for covering the outdoor arena to make it operational for year-round rodeo and equine events, and converting the indoor arena into an exhibit hall.

The Benton County Fairgrounds Master Plan Study and Benton County Event Center and Fairgrounds Facilities Master Plan Implementation Proposal are available at: https://www.bceventcentercorvallis.net/p/about/in-the-press.

Learn more

Nichols selected as next Benton County Community Development Director

Darren Nichols began serving as the director of Benton County’s Community Development Department on October 19, 2021.

Nichols joins the County with over 27 years in the public and private sector, including seven years with the State of Oregon where he worked with cities and counties across the state on land use, planning and community development.

Most recently, Nichols served as the executive director of the Great Lakes Commission in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In that role, Nichols coordinated with eight states, two Canadian provinces and the United States Congress to plan for and protect the Great Lakes Basin.

Learn more

2021 property tax statements are available online

2021 tax statements and certified values are now available on the Assessor’s website, and were mailed out by October 25.

All Benton County offices are closed to in-person public access due to COVID-19. The Tax and Assessment offices are open for business online and over the phone. Taxpayers also have the option to deposit payments at drop box locations or through the postal system.

Payments are due by November 15, 2021. Property owners who pay in full by November 15 will receive a 3-percent discount. Taxpayers have the option of paying one third of the total amount due on November 15, followed by one-third payments on February 15, 2022 and on May 15, 2022.

Learn more

Natural Areas, Parks, and Events receives State Land Board Wetland Award

This award recognizes efforts to protect and sustain Oregon’s precious wetlands. Benton County was commended for reestablishing a vital wetland within an urban area by restoring hydrology and reintroducing diverse native plant life. The selection committee was also particularly impressed by the County's efforts to offer public access to the wetland, creating important learning opportunities for members of our communities.

The honorees for this year’s awards were recognized by Governor Brown with a virtual ceremony hosted by the Land Board on October 12.

Learn more

North Albany Natural Area hazard tree removal

Ongoing die-off of Douglas Fir trees, prompted the Benton County Natural Areas, Parks, and Events Department to continue hazard tree removal beginning on October 18.

The County is working with local contractors to complete removal of all dead and dying Douglas Fir trees within the natural area. The hazard trees being removed pose a safety risk to power lines, road, and trail systems. As part of the long-term master plan goals that were adopted in 2019, Benton County will replant and support the adapted Oregon White Oak. All public access and trails within the natural area will be closed until all work is complete.

Learn more

Questions?

Benton County Public Information Office

541-766-6843 | pioinfo@co.benton.or.us

www.co.benton.or.us