EUGENE, Ore. — Lane County government officials report that
thanks to the 2023 federal omnibus spending bill, three critical public safety
projects in Lane County will be getting more than $3 million in funding.
According to Lane County officials, $176,000 will go to the
Lane County Sheriff’s Office to replace its dispatch center consoles. Officials
say that the dispatch center provides critical emergency communications across
the county, but the personnel workstations are not up to the same technological
standard as the rest of the facility. Officials said the funds will provide for
the first upgrade of the workstations in 15 years.
Another $1.5 million will go to Lane County’s work to
develop a behavioral health crisis stabilization center, officials said. Lane
County officials said the new funding will be added to $7 million already
allocated to the project to provide an option for first responders, police, and
others when they encounter someone experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
Lane County officials said another $1.5 million will go to
the multi-use facility being considered for the Lane Events Center, and ensure
that it will be built to an “immediate occupancy standard.” This
means that the structure would be able to withstand and be immediately occupied
after a massive earthquake. Officials said that although Lane County is one of
the most populous counties in Oregon, there are few structures that can serve
as shelters after an earthquake. Lane County officials said that if
commissioners do not decide to move forward with the multi-use facility, the
funding will be returned.’
“This funding will help us make progress on an array of
significant projects in Lane County,” said Board of County Commissioners
Chair Pat Farr. “We owe our lasting thanks to Senator Jeff Merkley,
Senator Ron Wyden, and Congressman Peter DeFazio, as well as their staffs, for
working to ensure these projects were included.”
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