The Marion County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved a supplemental budget for the current year that will increase spending by around $1.86 million.
Commissioners also approved a five-year strategic plan intended to boost the county’s economy and employment. The plan outlines the goals of the county’s Economic Development Program, which supports dozens of projects largely paid for by state lottery funds.
The board approved a contract with the Oregon Department of Corrections for the county to provide addiction treatment to people who are at risk of re-offending. The state agency will provide $1.36 million to the county over two years for such services.
The board voted to accept $5.6 million of state funding for the county to create or expand community-based sanctions and services intended to keep people out of state prisons. The intention is partly to save money by reducing the need for state prison space.
The board also voted to send an appeal back to the hearings officer regarding an earlier decision to approve development of a new passway and dock at Butteville Landing in Aurora. Neighbors testified that the project would violate their private property rights and, by attracting more visitors, worsen public safety issues.
Commissioners approved beefing up a contract with Bridgeway Recovery Services for substance abuse treatment, appointed Woodburn Mayor Frank Lonergan to the Marion County Public Safety Coordinating Council and approved a new contract with Comcast to provide cables that connect major county sites.
The board includes Commissioners Kevin Cameron, Danielle Bethell and Colm Willis.
Original story below:
The Marion County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday will consider adopting a supplemental budget for the current year that would increase spending by around $1.86 million.
The proposal comes after several county departments requested larger budgets due to unforeseen circumstances, including changes to Public Works Department positions and capital improvement projects, according to the agenda item.
The commissioners will hold a public hearing before voting on the supplemental budget.
To participate
The commissioners meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday in the Senator Hearing Room at 555 Court Street N.E. Anyone can attend or sign up to give public comment in-person at the meeting. People who want to comment must sign the speaker list at least ten minutes before the meeting. The meeting is streamed live on YouTube.
Economy
Commissioners will consider a five-year strategic plan intended to boost the county’s economy and employment.
The plan lays out goals of the county’s Economic Development Program, which oversees or contributes to more than 40 projects including the Detroit Marina excavation and a grant program for local chambers of commerce to help small businesses, according to the plan. Such projects are largely paid for by Oregon Video Lottery proceeds or grants.
“The program also administers a stream of millions of dollars of grant and state funding, both for the county and on behalf of other entities,” the plan said.
The board will also hear a presentation from the Strategic Economic Development Corporation, also known as SEDCOR, presenting a report on their work over the past quarter.
Public safety
Commissioners will consider a contract with the Oregon Department of Corrections to provide addiction treatment to people who are at risk of re-offending. The state agency would provide $1.36 million of grants to the county over two years for such services.
The board will consider approving the county’s $5.6 million in Justice Reinvestment grants through 2026. The state grants are intended to fund community-based sanctions and services which help keep people out of state prisons and to save public money in the long-term by reducing the need to pay for costly incarceration.
They will also consider a first reading of an ordinance to update boundaries in the county’s ambulance service area plan. The plan includes ten service boundaries, locations of fire districts and response times by area.
Commissioners will consider reinstating an expired contract with Bridgeway Recovery Services for services provided through December. The nonprofit provides treatment for people experiencing mental or emotional disturbances, substance abuse or gambling addiction.
The board will also consider adding $222,000 to a contract with Bridgeway to fund services for people without Medicaid who need substance abuse treatment.
The services would include treatment for people adjudicated for driving under the influence of intoxicants or minor in possession, as well as outpatient services for youth and adults with substance abuse disorders or co-occurring disorders who aren’t covered by the Oregon Health Plan. The new contract would total $1.49 million.
Commissioners will also consider appointing Woodburn Mayor Frank Lonergan to the Marion County Public Safety Coordinating Council.
The 32-member council advises the board of commissioners and includes leaders in public safety, education, social services and business, as well as representatives from law enforcement, prosecution, community corrections, public defense, judiciary, domestic violence services, public health and juvenile justice. They would be appointed to three-year terms.
The board will also consider a $750,000 contract with Comcast to continue using cables that connect major county sites such as the courthouse, Health and Human Services and Public Works in a network. The county previously had an agreement with Comcast for over 20 years that provided such cables for free, but that fee is now $12,500 a month.
Also on the agenda
Commissioners will consider distributing $1.26 million in revenue from timber sales in the county. The largest amounts would be about $1.09 million to Marion County, $68,000 to the North Santiam School District 29J and $59,000 to the County School Fund.
The board will also consider an appeal of the hearings officer’s decision to approve development of a new passway and dock at Butteville Landing in Aurora.
Contact reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian: [email protected] or 503-929-3053.
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Ardeshir Tabrizian has covered criminal justice and housing for Salem Reporter since September 2021. As an Oregon native, his award-winning watchdog journalism has traversed the state. He has done reporting for The Oregonian, Eugene Weekly and Malheur Enterprise.
