By Alex Paul
Linn County Communications
Since moving to its new office in July 2024, Linn County Veterans Services has seen an increase in the number of veterans and family members who have filed for benefits, program manager Dee Baley-Hyder told Commissioners Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker at their Oct. 7 meeting.
Baley-Hyder said the Veterans Services office at 505 Ellsworth Street SW is more visible than at its former location on 3rd Avenue, resulting in more walk-in inquiries by veterans.
Linn County’s Veterans Services program dates back to 1961.
In March 2024, Baley-Hyder reported that Veterans Services had assisted 9,453 veterans and their families. As of Oct. 7, some 9,938 veterans and family members have been assisted in filing claims for benefits.
From July through September 2025, Veterans Services has helped local veterans recover $453,285.71 in tax-free benefits and from January through September 2025, the total is $1,999,004.33.
Baley-Hyder said there are about 10,076 veterans living in Linn County.
Veterans Services has received another $25,000 Medical Transportation Grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation, Baley-Hyder said, which will allow services to continue through Dec. 31. The funds help Linn County provide veterans with transportation to health care services.
Baley-Hyder said Veterans Services is also going to apply for a medical transportation grant from the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs. If successful, the grant would run from January 2026 through June 2027.
In July, Baley-Hyder and veterans services officer Nate Larsen completed annual national accreditation training. She said it is an opportunity to learn about new laws and effective ways to ensure veterans get the benefits they deserve.
September was a busy month, Baley-Hyder said.
Office specialists Jess Valenzuela and Renee Bush participated in the annual Suicide Prevention Walk in Lebanon. There were 101 people registered. Veterans Services provided refreshments.
Staff participated in the Linn-Benton Veterans Stand Down at the Fair & Expo Center. Some 59 Veterans Services clients attended. Staff members made office appointments for veterans and answered questions about claims.
Baley-Hyder served as a veteran’s guardian on the recent South Willamette Valley Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. She said 20 Linn County veterans participated and each was assisted by a guardian. The Linn County veterans were joined by Lane County veterans and their guardians for a total of 107 people on the trip.
“It was a great honor to meet all the veterans and hear their stories,” Baley-Hyder noted in her written report to the commissioners. “I will say, the Vietnam War Wall was very emotional and so surreal to see.”
In other business, the commissioners:
- Approved an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Albany to allow Linn County to conduct Search and Rescue training programs at the Albany airport that involve helicopters with partners such as Life Flight and the National Guard. The agreement was presented by Sheriff Michelle Duncan. In a written report, Ric Lentz, Linn County Emergency Manager and SAR Coordinator, noted that helicopters are playing a larger role in Search and Rescue operations “due to the rise in backcountry injuries and illnesses.”
- Approved an Intergovernmental Agreement between Linn County and Greater Albany Public Schools, to transfer an estimated $101,675 in Title 1D funds from the Oregon Department of Education to GAPS, which in turn contracts with the Linn County Juvenile Department. The funds are used to provide a variety of educational services, including educational transition services for young people at the Linn Benton Juvenile Detention Center and additional educational related services at the Jackson Street Youth Shelter, Albany House.
- Approved Order # 2025-353 Supplemental Budget to accept a Beginning Fund Balance of $1,631,001 into the General Fund and then approved Order # 2025-354 to accept the transfer of those funds out of the General Fund and into a new department in the Internal Service Fund.
- Approved a First-Time Youth Wage Grant Agreement with Grover Cleaning Service.
- Approved a wrecking license for G & R Auto Wreckers.