Final Bond Levy Decisions: Benton County is putting the finishing touches on an upcoming bond measure that asks voters to pay $100 million for new county law enforcement facilities. Called the Justice System Improvement Program (JSIP), preparation for May’s vote has been on the forefront of most Benton County Commissioner meeting agendas of late, and will once again be the center of discussion at the Feb. 7 meeting.
Commissioners will be finalizing the final title and project summary language for the project. Project officials Vance Croney and JSIP Manager Nick Kurth will go before the commissioners at the upcoming meeting.
The total project will cost approximately $180 million, of which the county has already borrowed $33 million. Other funding sources include state and federal grants, the County’s general fund, and the renewed Community Safety Local Option Levy. The planned bond measure is necessary to cover a new sheriff’s headquarters, county jail facility, and a new mental health building.
Construction Contract: Also, on the agenda for the Feb. 7 Board of Commissioners meeting, the commissioners will look at a contract agreement with Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) Services for the Courthouse and/District Attorney office portion of the project – these would go to Hoffman Construction.
In a release from the county, the commissioners voted unanimously to co-locate the District Attorney’s Office in the new courthouse to be constructed on the Community Safety and Justice Campus. If voters approve the new jail and sheriff’s headquarters, they would also be located on the campus.
“To best serve our community’s criminal justice system needs, a meaningful investment in the system’s infrastructure is critical,” said Benton County District Attorney John Haroldson.
Approximately 9,000 square feet for the District Attorney’s Office will be funded through County borrowing, for a total of $8 million and will be included with courthouse construction and managed by Benton County Public Works. The new facilities are scheduled to open in 2025.
JSIP Public Engagement: Community members still have time to ask questions ahead of the final decisions on the Justice System Improvement Program project. Benton County is hosting an open house for community members to share highlights about County plans for the project.
The open house will be held Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 6-8 p.m. at the Benton County Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way. Registration is not required, but the public and media are encouraged to RSVP by contacting pioinfo@co.benton.or.us.
Comment Corner: Ward 7 City Councilor Paul Shaffer is the next to host a community Government Comment Corner in the lobby of the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library.
This is open to the public to stop by and ask questions about local government and the upcoming year. It is on Feb 4 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
By: Jennifer Williams
