Below is a summary of highlights from recent Marion County Board Sessions. The commissioners meet weekly to formally consider county business. Board Session information is posted on-line at www.co.marion.or.us/BOC. From here you can access the current agenda with supporting information, link to meeting videos, and view past agendas and meeting minutes. For more information, contact the Board of Commissioners Office at (503) 588-5212 or commissioners@co.marion.or.us. 

April 19, 2017

Approved a resolution supporting the passage of a transportation package by the 2017 Oregon Legislative Assembly.

Approved a license agreement with Salem Saturday Market to hold the Wednesday Public Market on the North Block of Courthouse Square from May through September 2017.

Approved a Business Development Grant awarding $50,000 in economic development funds to Gilgamesh Brewing. 

Approved a $30 annual parking pass for parking along North Fork Road and county parks accessed from North Fork Road.

April 26, 2017

Approved the fiscal year 2017-18 County Assessment Function Funding Assistance (CAFFA) Grant. This annual grant is submitted to the Oregon Department of Revenue to assist counties in funding the assessment and taxation program.

May 3, 2017

Approved a proclamation designating May 7-13 as Corrections Professionals Recognition Week in Marion County. 

Although Mother Nature seems a bit confused, summer is just around the corner. Marion County’s seasonal parks opened May 1 with Salmon Falls and North Fork parks to follow on June 1. Marion County Parks and Public Works staff have been working through the off-season to prepare for the summer season, with special attention along the North Fork corridor.

The Little North Fork Santiam River and North Fork Road corridor have grown in popularity in recent years, resulting in overcrowding on most warm, sunny days. Additional river users bring increased motor vehicle accidents, river safety concerns, litter, habitat degradation, and trespassing onto private property. Marion County is responding with several changes and added amenities along North Fork Road designed to improve public safety, increase capacity, and enhance the public's recreational experience.

Marion County Public Works widened and improved roadside gravel turnouts in several popular locations to make it easier and safer for cars to park off the roadway. Visitors will also see new and expanded parking at North Fork Park and Salmon Falls Park.

The county has instituted a $5 daily parking fee for all vehicles that park on the side of North Fork Road and in county parks accessed from North Fork Road. Parking fee stations along North Fork Road and in each park are now open. A $30 annual parking pass is also available, which allows unlimited daily parking for one vehicle along North Fork Road and in Marion County North Fork corridor parks. Annual passes can be purchased at any parking fee station or at Marion County Public Works, Building 1, 5155 Silverton Road NE, in Salem.

For more information visit the Marion County Parks website or call (503) 588-5036. Read the full press release here. 

​Marion County and the Mid-Valley Garbage & Recycling Association are once again sponsoring an art calendar contest to promote waste reduction and resource conservation in schools. This year's theme is "Repair & Reuse." As in previous years, we are inviting all K-12 students within Marion County to submit colorful drawings that focus on waste prevention through repair and reuse. Each student may submit up to three drawings and entries must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 6, 2017.

Thirteen illustrations will be selected to produce the 2018 calendar. A $50 gift card will be awarded to twelve winners in the following grade group categories: K - 3rd grades, 4th – 6th grades, 7th - 9th grades and 10th -12th grades. A student from one of these four categories will have the opportunity to win the Grand Prize, which includes a $100 gift card plus their artwork will be featured on the cover of the calendar. Additionally, the teacher of the student whose artwork is selected for the grand prize will also receive a $500 gift card for classroom use. Selected winners will be honored at a televised Marion County Board of Commissioners meeting.

To learn more about the 2017 Art Calendar Contest, visit our website or email EnvironmentalServices@co.marion.or.us.   

Marion County Environmental Health Division is offering free domestic well testing for property owners who get their drinking water from a private, domestic well. North and east Marion County communities where arsenic and nitrate contaminants have been identified have priority. North county areas include north Salem, Brooks, Gervais, Hubbard, Woodburn and Aurora. East county areas include Gates, Idanha, Detroit, Mill City and Lyons. Call (503) 588-5346 to schedule a test.

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in the earth’s crust. Nitrates are associated with septic systems and commercial fertilizers. Drinking water with high levels of arsenic or nitrate can cause adverse health effects. More information on health effects can be found on the Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water website.

For information about Marion County's drinking water program, call (503) 588-5346 or email EnvironmentalHealth@co.marion.or.us.

May 16
Election Day
Ballots due by 8 p.m. 

May 29
Memorial Day
County business offices closed 

June 13
Community Forum hosted by Keizer Chamber of Commerce
More info. coming soon!

July 6-9
Marion County Fair 
Oregon State Fairgrounds 

July 15
Repair Fair & Share 
Habitat for Humanity - Salem Restore
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Full listing of upcoming Meetings & Events on the county website.