Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Benton County board adopts 2026 budget calendar and guidelines; staff to schedule presentations in August
Summary
The county board adopted the 2026 budget calendar and development guidelines, tentatively scheduling department budget presentations the week of Aug. 11 and adopting a policy objective to target levy increases at or below 5%.
Benton County commissioners on May 20 adopted a budget calendar and development guidelines for the 2026 county budget and levy process.
Staff walked the board through the calendar and recommended scheduling department and outside-agency budget presentations during the week of Aug. 11, with a tentative all-day session and a half day follow-up the next day (staff later suggested an all-day Aug. 12 and a half day Aug. 13). The county will aim for a policy objective of keeping the levy increase at or below 5%, a guideline the board has used in recent years, staff said.
Staff described the budget process as starting from a base budget — payroll projections, insurance and current operations — before policy issues are considered (new positions or expanded programs). The department presentation week provides an opportunity for elected officials and department heads to present budget requests and connect them to the county’s mission and vision. Staff noted that the calendar remains subject to adjustment depending on schedules and potential changes to remote-meeting law.
The board approved the calendar and guidelines and agreed to finalize dates for budget presentations at a later meeting.
