Benton County to house transit program coordinator position previously under Corvallis IGA

Benton County commissioners on Nov. 17 approved establishing a county transit program coordinator position for the Benton Area Transit service. Public Works staff said the position, previously provided through an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Corvallis, is already funded and is being shifted to county employment to centralize regulatory and compliance responsibilities.

Gary Stockoff of Public Works explained that the prior Corvallis transit coordinator left and staff evaluated whether the position should be housed with the city or the county. He said the county decided to make the position a county full‑time equivalent, begin recruitment and advertise the job opening. Stockoff noted that prior Corvallis staff changes included the retirement of Lisa Scherf and that Jillian Trincus is the city's current transportation coordinator; he also said Charlene Petch moved to Tillamook Transit.

A motion to establish the county position was made, seconded and passed by unanimous voice vote.