News/Press Release

State of Oregon Employment Department News Release-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 28, 2020 

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Available in Oregon

Starting today, the Oregon Employment Department is providing unemployment benefits through the CARES Act Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. In preparation, the agency has recruited and trained staff to process PUA claims.

Press Release: April 9, 2020 

At the regularly scheduled Wednesday meeting, the Polk County Board of Commissioners adopted Order 20-09, directing the Polk County Environmental Health Division to accept and issue, without payment, a 2021 Annual Restaurant License for any completed application submitted by a restaurant that maintained a valid Polk County issued Annual 2020 Restaurant License on March 17, 2020. 

April 28, 2020 is the voter registration deadline for the May 19 Primary Election.  Oregon voters can register, or change their address or political party, online at oregonvotes.gov or by filling out a paper card. 

Oregon has a closed primary system.  Voters who wish to vote in the Democratic or Republican primary must be registered as a member of that party by the deadline.  Voters who are not affiliated with a major party will receive a Nonpartisan ballot that will contain nonpartisan offices and measures.

Due to the current COVID-19 situation Polk County will be streaming the audio of the county budget hearings that are taking place on April 21st and April 22nd  at 9:00 a.m.

A secure drop box at the County Courthouse in Dallas is now available for in-person payment of property taxes. The box is located on the north side of the Jefferson Street Courthouse entrance, just before the Clerk's election ballot drop box. We will check it daily and post your payment as of the date you deposited it in the box. If you would like confirmation that we received it, note on the payment that you would like us to mail you a receipt. 

On Monday, March 23, 2020 the Polk County Board of Commissioners at a regularly scheduled meeting passed Order 20-08 effectively closing Polk County offices to the general public effective immediately. 

Oregon Health Authority COVID-19 Updates -https://govstatus.egov.com/OR-OHA-COVID-19

ORDER NO. 20-07

Effective as of March 17th, 2020

Mark Your Calendars: USDA to Open Application Window for Second Round of ReConnect Program Funding on Friday Jan. 31, 2020.
Up to $550 million will be made available nationwide to improve rural internet access

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development will begin accepting applications for the second round of ReConnect Program loan and grant funding on January 31, 2020. Up to $550 million will be made available nationwide to help build modern broadband infrastructure in rural areas with insufficient internet access.

Polk County Rural Broadband Projects                     

Latest Update: January 2024

For the past several years Polk County has undertaken a variety of projects that will improve access to internet services for rural residents in Polk County.

Polk County is not a passport creation agency. 

For more information on Real ID please go to the ODOT DMV website: https://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/Pages/Real_ID.aspx

For information on where to get a passport, please go to the US Department of State Passport location page: https://iafdb.travel.state.gov/