The Benton County Board of Commissioners is updating the Strategic Plan that will guide county operations for the next 2 to 4 years and the public is invited to participate.

County officials plan to use the existing mission statement, core values and guiding principles that have been in place for the past several years, but will be seeking input and comment on ways that the county can align its service offerings with the mission, values and principles.

Public input and participation is vital in this process to help ensure that services carried out to meet existing goals are in line with the public’s needs. There will be three forums in three different communities in May for the purpose of soliciting input from county residents regarding the Strategic Plan. They are scheduled the following times and locations:

• 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14, at the Linus Pauling Middle School cafeteria, 1111 Cleveland Ave., in Corvallis;
• 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, at the Monroe Branch of the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 380 North Fifth St. (Highway 99W), in Monroe; and
• 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, at the Albany Golf and Event Center (formerly Springhill Country Club), 155 NW Country Club Lane, in North Albany.

The events are open to the public and light refreshments will be provided. For more information about the process or meetings, contact the Benton County Board of Commissioners Office at 541-766-6800.

United Way of Benton & Lincoln Counties is searching for 8-10 additional, high energy volunteers to serve on its Community Investment Council. The commitment is approximately 30 hours between the months of February and June.

The Community Investment Council:

• Evaluates program applications for funding
• Reviews agency presentations
• Conducts agency site visits
• Allocates available City Social Service and United Way funds

An ideal candidate is a critical thinker, not afraid to ask questions, and comfortable voicing his/her opinion.

Interested in learning more? Contact Lauren Caruso, Community Impact Director, at (541) 757-7717 or lauren@unitedwayblc.org.

Benton County is looking for a few residents who’d like to have an impact on community livability, environmental, natural resources and transportation issues by serving on the Planning Commission or Roads Advisory Committee.

The nine-member Planning Commission has two vacancies to be filled by Benton County residents interested in shaping land use policies and development. The commission reviews subdivision applications, amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and zone code and special projects, making recommendations to the Board of Commissioners for action.

Members serve four-year terms. The commission meets at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at the Sunset Building Meeting Room, 4077 SW Research Way, in Corvallis.

The Roads Advisory Committee has one vacancy to be filled by a Benton County resident interested in the operations, standards, financing needs and laws associated with the management of the county road system. The committee provides advisory recommendations to the Board of Commissioners and the Public Works Director concerning road operating policies, potential projects for investigation, road capital improvement and renovation plans, overall department budget and funding.

Members serve three-year terms. The committee meets at 7 p.m. every third Tuesday of each month at the Avery Complex Large Conference Room, 360 SW Avery Avenue, in Corvallis.

For further information, contact:
Rick Osborn, Public Information Officer, Benton County Board of Commissioners
(541) 766-6082, rick.osborn@co.benton.or.us