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Committee hires file‑room specialist; budget shows small surplus and one‑time funding for one‑year position
Summary
The Legislative Ethics Committee introduced new one‑year staff Jamie Benton, reported a FY25 surplus of about $63,437, and noted a FY26 budget change that includes a $70,000 one‑time authorization and a $32,000 personnel increase for step/cola adjustments.
The Legislative Ethics Committee introduced its newest staff member, discussed recent staffing transitions, and reviewed budget results and the outlook for fiscal year 2026.
Jamie Benton, hired into a one‑year noncurrent position to help organize the committee’s file room and document retention policies, was introduced at the meeting. Committee members noted Benton’s background in the U.S. Army; she said she retired Aug. 1 and thanked staff who assisted with her transition. Committee Chair Joyce Anderson described Benton as “the highly qualified person we found to help us with the 1 year noncurrent position.” Benton has begun work on a travel‑policy outline and draft retention documentation.
Budget review and hiring funding
Kevin Reeve, committee staff, presented the FY25 final budget closeout, reporting a surplus of $63,437 driven primarily by a vacancy in the administrator position and lower‑than‑expected outside legal services spending. Reeve said the office intentionally overspent on consumable commodities (printer cartridges) in the prior year because of anticipated surplus.
For FY26 the proposed budget shows little change overall. Personal services increase by about $32,000 for step increases and cost‑of‑living adjustments. Legislative Counsel granted a one‑time authorization of $70,000 to fund part of the one‑year position for Benton and to help the office address a backlog of work that accumulated during recent staff transitions.
Why it matters: The additional short‑term funding allowed the committee to hire temporary capacity to clear a backlog created during a multi‑person turnover; the ongoing personnel increase will be reflected in the FY26 personal‑services line.
Next steps and staff work
Benton and ethics office staff have already begun drafting a travel policy outline and a records‑retention plan. Committee members thanked staff for addressing the backlog and said they expect staff to circulate proposed policy language in the coming weeks.
Provenance: Introduction of the staff hire occurred at the start of the meeting; budget reporting and discussion occurred in the committee’s fiscal update section.
