Candidates and ballot measures seek approval in May election

By SKAND S. News Contributor

Two measures are on the ballot for Benton County voters to decide on May 16 before 8 p.m. alongside several candidates running for positions in the school district.

The first is the bond for “community safety, mental health and homelessness services facilities,” that proposes the Justice System Improvement Program. The ask for the bond from voters is to pay approximately $142 per year on residential property with a median assessed value of $258,596.

This money would go towards three major components:

• Justice Campus comprising the construction of a correctional facility ($64.3 million), new sheriff’s office and emergency operations facility ($40.4 million)

• Expansion of children and family facility where therapists provide mental health treatment ($1.5 million)

• Construction or renovation of a navigation resource center to support people experiencing homelessness ($3 mental health programs and initiatives.” Hoyle said. “I believe community, state and federal partnerships are essential to create comprehensive solutions to these issues.”

The second measure proposes renewing the five-year operating local option tax levy for the Palestine Rural Fire Protection District with residents having to pay $0.9707 per $1,000 of assessed value for five years beginning 2023-2024 for fire protection.

The filed measure mentioned that owing to the increase in cost of fire protection service, Palestine rural fire protection district is asking for the renewal.

CANDIDATES

Alongside the ballot measures, there are several candidates running for the Corvallis School District for a four year term. This election comes just after the