County Budget: Benton County will be making some changes to the 2023-2025 budget following the failure of Measure 2-140. At the June 20 commissioners meeting, they will begin discussions on the changes needed to the budget with decreased appropriations due to the Justice System Improvement Program (JSIP) bond measure not passing on the May ballot.
Is this likely to change much beyond not allocating for the new facilities – probably not.
The Benton County Budget Committee received seven days of department presentations April and May. The Committee approved the proposed budget with modifications and the maximum property tax rates on May 11, according to a release from the county.
Next Steps for the Budget: A public hearing at the Tuesday meeting is the final step before the budget is finalized by the June 30 deadline. Since the approval by the Budget Committee, there have been two circumstances that prompt Financial Services to request that the Board of Commissioners make two reductions to the approved 2023-25 Budget prior to adoption, the major one being the result of the failed $110 million dollar bond measure.
The county no longer has to allocate their portion of funding or the suggested local tax option in order to fund the projects proposed in JSIP.
“The Board of Commissioners may not increase any Fund by more than 10% and cannot increase the tax rate beyond the limits established. The budget must be adopted by midnight June 30, 2023 for funds to legally be expended on July 1,” said the release.
To read more visit https://www.co.benton.or.us/sites/default/files/fileattachments/board_of_commissioners_office/meeting/8433/230620_tu_packet.pdf
Prospective City Commissioners Interviews Slated: The Corvallis City Council will be holding interviews for open positions on the Planning Commission and the Historic Resources Commission at the June 22 work session.
The City of Corvallis announced a number of vacancies on commissions and will be holding back-to-back interview over the coming weeks.
A release from the City said, “Both of these organizations play an important role in the city’s land use policies by reviewing proposals, conducting public hearings, and making recommendations to the City Council. Commissioners will receive training on various land use topics throughout the year, so expert proficiency in these topics is not a prerequisite.”
City, County Offices Closed: In observance of Juneteenth today, June 19, all City of Corvallis offices and Benton County offices will be closed.
In a release from the county, this year we will observe the holiday on Monday, June 19th and we will continue to have a proclamation celebrating the holiday. Both the city and county issued proclamations for the holiday.
For the county, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office will continue with patrols during the closure.
By Jennifer Warner
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