Benton County’s leadership has largely picked themselves up and brushed themselves off after last year’s decisive defeat of Measure 2-140, which would have paid for a new county jail. And now they’re looking ahead at how to get the thing built, possibly in the somewhat distant future.
At last Tuesday’s Goal Setting session, Benton County’s Commissioners were offered several avenues to consider – all of them long term. Mostly, the conversation centered on starting a savings fund earmarked for the project and issuing new bonds.
Benton County’s Chief Financial Officer, Rick Crager, told the commissioners that some dollars could be saved by pursuing more purpose-specific grants, which would then alleviate some current spending from the County’s general fund. He also said that as the County continues retiring debt, and as revenues increase – the prospects of issuing new bonds to fund the project would also grow.
Crager added that while he doesn’t generally favor issuing 40-year bonds, it could be a possibility for the Commissioners to consider in the future.
Commissioner Xan Augerot forwarded the possibility that the County could potentially amass half the cost of a new jail, and then seek voter approval for a bond measure to cover the other half. Commissioner Pat Malone echoed interest in the idea.
To date, the County has sought voter approval to issue bonds that would pay for the entirety of a new jail on four occasions – and been turned down each time.
Crager will come back to the commissioners in about a month to look at some changed approaches.
Over at the City Council, a Possible Peace Resolution: Somewhat at the behest of Mayor Charles Maughan, the public comment portions of the last three City Council meetings have been dominated by a sometimes contentious discussion of the Middle East Conflict.
Then, at the last Council meeting, Councilors Jan Napack and Charlyn Ellis introduced a draft resolution favoring peace in the Middle East. However, the Council tabled the matter until February, largely because the draft hadn’t yet been published, and reviewed by the public.
Now, we Have the Language, and Here it is….
WHEREAS: The Corvallis 2040 Vision statement affirms that Corvallis supports and engages a changing population in a welcoming community that accommodates all income and cultural groups, and advances the well-being of all its residents.
WHEREAS: Our Jewish and Muslim friends and neighbors, both Israeli and Palestinian, have experienced an increase in anti-Semitic, anti-Israel, anti-Arab, and anti-Muslim hate speech and crimes. True peace starts with us, not through accusations or minimizing the suffering on either side, but as a community that empathizes with their grief and offers our hands and hearts in compassion.
WHEREAS: While we mourn the lives lost to escalating violence in all corners of the world, we recognize the human tragedies of this war that have profoundly and personally affected our friends and neighbors in our own community.
WHEREAS: Leaders from Oregon State University, Beit Am Jewish Community, and Salman Alfarisi Islamic Center stress the importance of listening, engaging, and reaching out to one another within our community. They acknowledge that the events in the land of Israel and Palestine, sacred to many, are not what any of us desire. And there is a collective hope for a future world free from war, where bridges to lasting peace and stability can be built.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CORVALLIS RESOLVES that we support ongoing efforts to engage in meaningful talks for a lasting peace. Additionally, we urge Corvallis residents to enhance their understanding of these complex issues through discussion and education. Issuing this resolution is not a substitute for the hard work we must do locally to promote peace and understanding.
Caveat: If the full Council chooses to go ahead, they may amend some of the language. As always, we’ll keep you posted.
Correction: A prior version of this story had reported language in the Peace Resolution pertaining to the Biden administration, but at press time, that language had already been amended to support talks that would lead to peace. We appreciate the alert reader that let us know about the error.
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