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County forwards $4.3M community health center supplemental for public hearing after staff outline reductions
Summary
Benton County staff proposed a roughly $4.3 million reduction to Community Health Center appropriations (about 6.17%), citing revenue shortfalls offset partly by improved Medicaid rates; staff said no FTE eliminations are proposed and the board moved the supplement to a May 21 public hearing.
Assistant County Administrator Rick Krager and budget staff presented a supplemental budget amendment for the Community Health Centers at the May 7 meeting, outlining an approximate $4.3 million reduction to appropriations—about a 6.17% cut to the affected funds. Krager said the package reflects revenue shortfalls but also improved Medicaid rate projections that mitigate deeper reductions.
Budget staff described a $2.2 million reduction in personal‑service costs achieved through vacancy savings and attrition; they emphasized that no full‑time equivalent (FTE) positions are proposed for elimination in this supplement. The presentation also noted a modest increase in operating contingency to strengthen reserves, while acknowledging the current contingency remains below what staff consider prudent.
Commissioner Pat Malone moved to forward the supplemental budget (Supplemental Budget 24‑1101 for Community Health Centers) to the May 21 board meeting for a public hearing and adoption; the board approved the motion. Krager and budget staff said they will bring a fuller set of budget adjustments to the board in the coming weeks that reflect legislative changes and other countywide revisions.
