September 26, 2023 – Linn County: Commissioners learn about Juvenile Department events
Young people involved with the Linn County Juvenile Department recently volunteered to handle luggage for people who participated in the Cycle Oregon event that was based in Albany, Juvenile Director Torri Lynn told Commissioners Will Tucker and Sherrie Sprenger Tuesday morning.
Commissioner Roger Nyquist was not present.
Lynn said the young people earned $30 in tips and had a good experience assisting with the large-scale event. This was the 33rd annual event, covered 400 miles and attracted 1,000 riders.
Commissioner Tucker thanked Lynn and his staff for finding ways to involve the young people in community events in a positive way.
The commissioners also approved a contract not to exceed $100,000 over two years, with Grace Wellness, social workers the Juvenile Department has been working with the past three years. Lynn said they are working with about 10 youth and their families.
The two social workers are bi-lingual and this has been a big plus in terms of dealing with Latino families, Lynn said.
Funding is provided by the Basic Service money through the Oregon Youth Authority contract.
Lynn said 17 young people from Linn County were held for 238 total days of care in August. There were five youth from Benton County held a total of 80 days and five from Lincoln County held for 54 days.
There were 46 referrals in August and there are 189 young people in the Probation Unit, or pending court with 35 assessed as high-risk.
In other business, the commissioners:
- Approved a temporary part-time agreement with Savanna Rucker to work 22 hours per week as a Medication Aide at the Linn County Jail. Captain Andy Franklin said the Corrections Division has two medical personnel vacancies.
- Approved a grant agreement for $140,000 with the Oregon Department of Transportation through the STIF Discretionary Grant program. The money will be used to purchase a new bus for the Linn County/Senior Citizens of Sweet Home.
- Approved a lot line adjustment between three properties at 41659 Rodgers Mountain Loop, about 4.5 miles southeast of Scio. The application was submitted by Casey Meadows.
- Approved an increase in the Construction Excise Tax submitted by the Lebanon School District. The new rates will be $1.56 per square foot for residential structures from $1.25 and 78 cents from 62 cents for commercial properties. The Planning & Building Department collects the taxes when someone takes out building permits. Linn County then distributes that money to the corresponding school district.
- Were updated by Harrisburg City Administrator Michelle Eldridge that the community will soon start work on a 43,000-square-foot dog park and hiking trail, funded by a $96,000 grant from the Oregon Parks & Recreation Department. She added the city is also going to divide its water system project into two bidding sections. She said the city will likely seek a loan from the special public works fund since the project is about $4.5 million underfunded.
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Excellent reporting, it’s great to read basic factual information about what’s going on in at the local level. Good to see youth in the juvenile justice system being positively engaged.
Juanita Rincon
Mental health counselor
I need important information