Law Enforcement Bond Amount Chosen: The Benton County Board of Commissioners has set the final price tag for the Justice System Improvement Project bond that will go before voters in May. At their Jan 3 meeting the commissioners decided on $110 million.
Faced with two final options, including the first which was to fund all the proposed JSIP bond facilities fully for a bond measure of approximately $114 million, and the second option which would use a combination of assumed state funding to be lobbied for, and a lower bond request of voters at only $108 million, the commissioners unanimously agreed to split the difference between the two.
Hence, the bond amount of $110 million. Commissioners will now need to look at backstop funding options to make up the difference between the proposed project total of $114 million and the bond amount.
“We do have several things out there, and I feel very confident at the legislative level. I do think that we can continue to push hard and make that case for an additional $4 million,” said Rick Crager, Chief County Financial Officer. “I think there is reason to believe we have good opportunities to maintain backstops for funding.”
Total funding for the project will come from a variety of sources including state, federal and county funding, and the local bond measure headed to voters this May. Commissioners will continue discussions around backstop funding options at the BOC goal setting work session on Jan. 10.
Commissioners Support Navigation Center: The Benton County Board of Commissioners have given their stamp of approval for a proposal to further develop a navigation center to help those experiencing homelessness in Corvallis. The proposal would also add a new homeless shelter.
At the BOC meeting on Jan. 3, commissioners followed the lead of the Corvallis City Council by penning a letter of support for the construction of the navigation center. The Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center (CDDC) is currently the only daytime community resource and navigation center in Benton County for people who are experiencing homelessness.
The letter is for lawmaker consumption, as the CDDC lobbies for funding from Oregon’s legislature.
In a letter of support from commissioners, they align with the purpose of the project, which is to increase capacity and meet the growing need for services. A larger space would better accommodate the 40-70 daily guests, 8 staff, 40+ weekly volunteers, and collaborative service providers that already use the current space.
Plans for the Navigation Center includes low-barrier, non-congregate emergency shelter, space for multiple partner agencies to provide services, and continued drop-in space for daytime respite, resulting in a “one stop” model that addresses basic needs, healthcare, behavioral healthcare, employment resources, and affordable housing services.
Included in the Justice System Improvement Project is funding for expanded homelessness services facilities, and the CDDC’s Navigation Center. Both the City of Corvallis and Benton County are looking at this as the preferred project for the funding in the bond amount.
By: Jennifer Williams
Do you have a story for The Advocate? Email editor@corvallisadvocate.com