Benton County Commission: Improving facilities, public outreach and partnerships

Benton County elected officials and employees continue to work diligently to provide the public the best service possible. As we transition into 2018, our goals are to continue improving our public facilities to make our buildings safer and more efficient for staff and the public, enhance our public outreach and communications, and continue growing our community partnerships.

Throughout 2017, the county updated numerous public facilities. The Benton County Fairgrounds underwent over $2 million of renovations and upgrades to Buildings 2 and 3, including new electronics, a catering kitchen, bathroom remodel, and more. The project was completed just in time for the Benton-Franklin Fair & Rodeo, and allowed the public an air-conditioned space for exhibits and events.

Along with updates to the Fairgrounds, the Justice Center Complex roofing project was completed, which reroofed the Justice Center, Jail, Health District, Coroners Office, Juvenile Justice Center, Kennewick Annex, Prosser Courthouse, and the Prosser WSU Extension Office. The new roofs have addressed leaks and water damage and have increased the safety of our buildings.

As we move into 2018, our improvements are shifting to focus on the Juvenile Justice Center. In collaboration with Franklin County, we are submitting requests to the Washington State Legislature to assist in funding construction of a new administrative wing of the Juvenile Justice Center. As designed, this project would create space for modernized courtrooms, classrooms for GED and other educational programs, space for counseling and diversion programs, and additional office space. The upgrade would also increase security to improve the safety of employees, judges, and members of the public visiting the center.

As we begin 2018, one of the county’s main goals is to increase our public outreach and communications. One way we are doing this is rebranding, which will allow the county to reflect to the public our organizational teamwork. Part of our public outreach goal is to provide more opportunities to educate and inform the public about the county departments and offices, services, and processes by sharing information in easily-accessible, online formats and on our continually-growing social media platforms.

Benton County has had the opportunity in the past and in the coming year to be a community partner on many different projects and in various capacities. Three prime examples are the Rural County Capital Fund, Gang & Crime Prevention Initiative, and the Historic Preservation Grant, which all impact the community in vastly different ways.

Through the Rural County Capital Fund, the county partners with other local governments and ports to provide financial support to economic development projects, including supporting Columbia Gardens Urban Wine & Artisan Village, Vintners Village II, and others.

The Gang & Crime Prevention Initiative, funded by the Public Safety Tax, continues to partner with local non-profits and organizations to provide funds that support local crime prevention programs. Currently, the Initiative has seven programs administered by various organizations throughout the community, who continue to work with the county to provide high- quality services to prevent or reduce crime in our community.

The Historic Preservation Grant Program was established in 2007, and last year it transitioned from the Treasurers Office to the Commissioners Office. At that time, the program was updated and revamped to modernize the application process and increase outreach throughout the community. For the 2018 grant cycle, nine applications were received from various local organizations, museums, and non-profits. Each project or program will support historic preservation or historic education in the community, and the county is excited to partner with these organizations.

For more information about the county, visit our website at www.co.benton.wa.us.

This story was originally published April 2, 2018 at 2:48 PM with the headline "Benton County Commission: Improving facilities, public outreach and partnerships."