The Benton County Board of Commissioners approved the appointment of Jane Vetto as the new county counsel on Mar. 10, following a months-long recruitment process. Vetto is set to begin her role on Monday, April 13.
The selection comes after Benton County worked with Strategic Government Resources, a local-government executive recruitment firm, to conduct the search for candidates. Vetto will succeed Vance Croney, who is retiring after more than 25 years in the position.
Croney participated in the recruitment and spoke positively about his successor. “She’s bright, experienced, professional and very personable. I’m excited about the direction the County is going with its legal services into the future,” Croney said.
Vetto brings significant experience from her previous roles in Oregon and Washington local governments. She served as deputy prosecutor and senior deputy prosecutor in Clark County, Washington’s Civil Division, where she advised departments and defended the county in various courts. Additionally, she has been county counsel for Marion and Clackamas Counties, providing legal advice to officials and acting as primary counsel for elected commissioners.
Her work in Marion County included participating in labor and contract negotiations and advising on land use issues as well as public meeting laws. Most recently, she was a deputy county attorney for Linn County, offering legal guidance on topics such as land use appeals, health services, roads, and public safety.
Vetto holds a law degree from the University of Oregon School of Law and earned her bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Oregon.
