RELEASE: Board of Commissioners Approves $692 Million County Budget

SALEM, Ore. – Jun. 23, 2022 – Yesterday, the Marion County Board of Commissioners approved the 2022-23 county budget, totaling $692,644,391. This is the largest budget ever approved by the county, largely due to an influx of one-time state and federal funding. 

Nearly $68 million of the county funding is from American Rescue Plan Act dollars, allocated to projects intended to support critical urban and rural infrastructure, create or improve community spaces, and benefit low- to moderate- income residents.

Additionally, the commissioners approved an incoming funds Intergovernmental Agreement Land Acquisition Grant with Oregon Housing and Community Services for $1,706,500 to purchase seven parcels of land totaling more than 15 acres for a Mill City housing project. This land will be used to build permanent housing for victims of the 2020 Labor Day fires based on their income level. 

“We have been diligently working to overcome barriers to this project for over a year, and I can’t express how moved I am to finally to see it coming to fruition,” said Chair Danielle Bethell. 

“Families who lost everything in the fires who long to return home to their community will see that desire become a reality, and it’s really a testament to the hard work of county staff to support these individuals. While homes still need to be built on this land, the land purchase itself is a tremendous first step toward that goal.”

For more information, contact the Board of Commissioners Office at (503) 588-5212 or email commissioners@co.marion.or.us.