County offices open for business, close public access through January 1, 2021

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Effective at 5:00 p.m. today, Benton County will close public access to all lobbies and meeting spaces from November 18, 2020 through January 1, 2021. This change will not apply to the Community Health Centers of Benton and Linn Counties. Public lobbies will reopen Monday, January 4, 2021. County services will continue to be available online or over the phone, and in some cases, in-person by appointment. Board of Commissioner meetings and advisory committee meetings will remain open to the public and are available online through GoToMeeting.

Service adjustments are being undertaken in accordance with Governor Brown's Two-Week Freeze announcement on Friday, November 13, 2020. In the Board of Health’s Public Advisory on COVID-19 Response, the Benton County Commissioners state “COVID-19 is significantly impacting many workplaces that are unable to keep services open due to workplace illness. Benton County is implementing risk reduction measures to help limit the spread of COVID-19, reduce risk in communities more vulnerable to serious illness and death, and reduce the impact on workforce and hospital systems.”

Although there is limited public access to county buildings, the following county business operations will continue to serve the public as listed below. 

The following departments are available online, by phone, mail, email, or in-person by appointment:

Assessment 

Board of Commissioners Office

The County will continue to utilize GoToMeeting and provide public access to Board of Commissioner meetings. County officials strongly encourage all individuals that are able to use the video link or phone number provided to listen to meetings from home. For best results, staff have found that downloading and using the GoToMeeting app is the best way to listen to or view the meeting. Individuals are encouraged to give themselves plenty of time to download the app and join the meeting before the start time. Additionally, the Board is live streaming meetings on Facebook Live every first, third and fourth Tuesday. Individuals can follow and like Benton County at https://facebook.com/BentonCoGov.

Following each meeting, video recordings will be available on the Benton County YouTube channel. Individuals are encouraged to subscribe to the Benton County YouTube channel to be notified when the Board Meetings are posted. Visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwNH7PIM0c5u7yTnTDoSWw and click the “Subscribe” button at the top right.

Community Development

There are a variety of options for submitting building permits and land use applications; please visit the department’s website for more information.

Community Health Centers

All clinics are currently staffed and will continue to see patients in-person, by phone and virtually through telehealth. Patients must call their clinic to get instructions on how to safely enter building when an in-person appointment is necessary. 

Health Center locations, hours and phone numbers to call and learn how to visit the clinic safely are listed at: https://www.bentonlinnhealthcenters.org/find-your-clinicprovider/clinic-names-hours-and-locations/.

Pharmacy information is available at 541-766-6835.
For dental information and instructions, please call 541-766-0123.
For Health Navigation services, please call 541-766-2130.
For updates and more information about CHC services, visit our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/BentonLinnCHCs. 

County Clerk - Records and Elections Department

For information regarding recording, licenses, voter registration and passport services, please visit online, call or email us. Appointments will remain available for services that require in-person presence.

Developmental Diversity

Staff are accessible virtually through telehealth visits, by phone, GoToMeeting, email, physical and virtual dropboxes, with limited in-person visits offered by appointment only.

District Attorney

The Benton County District Attorney’s Office is restricting direct public contact to the use of email, video conferencing, and telephonic communication whenever possible. Court-based operations (e.g. court hearings, grand jury, trials) are subject to Constitutional and Statutory mandates, and are primarily managed by the State Courts. Accordingly, the Benton County District Attorney’s Office will continue to operate within the parameters set forth by the Oregon Supreme Court and the State Trial Court Administrators Office. Contact the Benton County District Attorney’s Office by phone or email for questions. 

Please note, the Benton County Circuit Court is a state agency and its access, calendar and limited business operations are controlled by the State of Oregon and can be viewed at: https://www.courts.oregon.gov/courts/benton/Pages/default.aspx. 

Event Center and Fairgrounds

If you are a guest of the RV park, please contact the office for check-in procedures.

Health Department – Behavioral Health

Services are conducted by phone and virtually through telehealth. Providers will call scheduled patients during time of appointment. 

Crisis services remain available in-person, individuals will be screened before their appointment. Anyone presenting symptoms and/or a fever will be directed to call in and contact their primary care provider. 

Health Department – Public Health

Most services have been modified to protect clients and staff, and many personnel continue to work on COVID-19 related activities. Business can be conducted online or by telephone. Health Department contacts are located at: https://www.co.benton.or.us/health/custom-contact-page/health-department-contact-information.

Individuals with questions regarding COVID-19 in general are encouraged to call 541-766-6120, Monday-Friday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to reach a County-staffed phone bank.

Human Resources

Juvenile Department

Natural Areas and Parks

Benton County natural areas, trails and parks are open to the public.  Please maintain physical distancing, do not gather in groups larger than 6 people from no more than two households and wear masks when 6’ of distancing cannot be maintained. 

Property Tax Collection - Financial Services 

The property tax collection office is open by appointment only, please call or email. 

Payments can be made:

Public Works

Supporting Documents

PDF icon Board of Health Advisory: Closure of public lobbies (257 KB)