Justice Bond: The Justice System Improvement Program (JSIP) was once again on the agenda for the Benton County Board of Commissioners. At their meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 13, Project Manager Nick Kurth gave another update to commissioners as they begin deliberations on the final bond amount.
“This is the beginning as much as it is the end, several of the projects under the JSIP umbrella are way underway. This includes a mental health crisis center that is being built downtown, a community safety and justice campus site that has been acquired, a new courthouse and offices for the District Attorney are all being built,” said Kurth. “If the bond measure passes in May of 2023 we will add to that list with mental health and homelessness facilities, a correctional facility, and an emergency operations center and sheriff’s office.”
The current plan for the project would mean asking voters to approve $104.6 million in bonds according to Kurth. The prior figure would have been about $10 million less.
A final decision and a vote from the board on the final bond package amount is expected in Jan. 2023. The final bond measure will be on the ballot in May 2023. The board is scheduled to resume the funding discussion at their Dec. 20 meeting, which is open to the public.
COVID Assistance: The City of Corvallis received a $275,000 grant from Benton County to help small businesses experiencing ongoing impacts from the pandemic. The Corvallis City Council will look at a resolution at their meeting on Dec. 19 that would make the funds available for those businesses.
The grant money was awarded to the city’s Economic Development Office (EDO) in order to set up a grant program to aid small businesses that were impacted or disproportionately impacted during the pandemic.
The funds come from the county’s share of ARPA funding and therefore must be used in accordance with federal guidelines. The EDO will create and implement a grant program, according to a memo to the council from Jerry Sorte, Economic Development Supervisor.
The funds from the grant must be spent by June 30, 2024.
South Corvallis Food Hub: Another item on the agenda for the Corvallis City Council is accepting a grant for a proposed food hub. The city received a grant from the Oregon Legislature via Benton County for $550,000 to build a food hub in South Corvallis.
In a memo to the council from Kathryn Duvall, Economic Development and Climate Program Specialist, the residents of South Corvallis have long stated a desire for increased options for food access in their neighborhood.
“These funds will be used to hire a consultant to evaluate the local food system and determine the gaps and challenges in the current system. The funds will also be used for program development and project costs related to site selection and development,” said Duvall.
The city council meeting is Dec.19 at 6 pm and is open to the public, click here for the meeting agenda and packet, to register a comment or testify, or get the link to attend.
-By Jennifer Williams
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