Benton County Commission approves move of mayor’s office to FirstBank building after heated debate

Benton County Commissionors voted to relocate the county mayor’s office to a county‑owned commercial property at 121 North Forest Avenue in Camden after more than three hours of debate and several procedural motions.

The measure, introduced by Mayor Mark Ward, asked the commission for authority to move the mayor’s office into the county‑owned FirstBank building. Commissioner Terry Keane moved the resolution and Commissioner Mike Nunnery seconded the motion. Commissioners later approved an amendment to include the Benton County Chamber of Commerce and the county economic and community development director as tenants in the building.

Supporters said the move would relieve crowded conditions in the courthouse and provide visible space for the chamber. “I looked at this as the need that we needed in the courthouse to make it run more efficiently,” Mayor Mark Ward said during the discussion. Ward and other supporters noted the building had been renovated in 2018 and described it as a practical location for county offices and for the Chamber’s public presence.

Opponents raised legal and financial concerns and asked that the item be delayed while outstanding audit and legal questions were resolved. Commissioner Bain (spelled in the record alternately as Baim) and others referenced a comptroller audit and said they wanted any legal matters cleared before proceeding. Commissioners also debated the purchase price (speakers referenced both $480,000 and a higher $503,000 figure during the discussion), estimates for likely repairs and upgrades (one commissioner cited a roof replacement estimate of about $85,000), and accessibility and long‑term renovation costs. “I’ve got an estimate right here for $85,000 to replace the roof on it already,” one commissioner said; another described additional Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) work and other renovations that could increase future costs.

Commissioners also debated process options: motions to table the resolution (including a proposed three‑month table) were moved and voted on, and a motion to refer the resolution back to the property committee was also offered and defeated. Commissioner Murphy moved that the item be referred back to the property committee to develop a detailed floor plan and assignment of space; that referral failed in a roll call vote. After further discussion and a statement from chamber director Lori Matlock explaining that the chamber had secured a 12‑month lease elsewhere and that any permanent move would require board approval, the commission voted to approve the resolution as amended.

The resolution passed following the final vote. The record shows multiple related procedural votes and amendments were taken during the debate; the transcript records the resolution as approved by the commission but does not provide a single unambiguous final tally in one location of the transcript excerpt provided.

Why it matters: The move will change where the mayor and administrative staff work and will affect several county functions (including space used by the county clerk and other courthouse offices). The inclusion of the Chamber of Commerce and economic development staff was adopted by amendment during the meeting; the chamber director said any permanent move would require approval by the chamber board and that the chamber has a one‑year lease elsewhere in the meantime.

Next steps and implementation questions: Commissioners asked that the property committee or county staff produce a floor plan and specific space assignments, confirm remaining legal questions raised in the comptroller’s audit, and produce a detailed cost estimate for needed repairs and ADA compliance. Several commissioners said the county already owns the building and urged maintenance and improvements to existing county assets; others warned further renovation costs could be substantial. The chamber director asked for a formal plan before committing the chamber board to a move.

Votes at a glance: The transcript records votes on amendments, tabling motions, and the final resolution during the same agenda item. The commission approved the resolution as amended; detailed vote tallies for every procedural vote are recorded at points in the transcript but appear in multiple places rather than a single consolidated roll call in the excerpt provided.