Benton County commissioners approve budget and legislative priorities, name new CFO and authorize rural shuttle study

Benton County commissioners on Nov. 22 approved a set of administrative and policy actions that set the county’s near‑term budget and legislative agendas, designated a new chief financial officer and authorized staff to pursue a state grant to study a rural shuttle for several southwestern communities.

The board unanimously approved goals for County Administrator Rachel McEnany, adopted 2025–27 budget priorities and a package of state legislative priorities, and approved administrative orders including designation of Greg Munn as the county’s custodian of funds and chief financial officer.

Why it matters: the spending and policy priorities the board approved will guide department budget submissions and legislative advocacy for the 2025 legislative session and the 2025–27 biennium. The actions also position the county to apply for external funding and to begin filling finance leadership and service‑delivery roles the board said are critical to forthcoming initiatives such as the county crisis center.

Key actions and outcomes

- CFO designation and banking authority: the board approved Order D2024‑058 to update banking signature authority and designate Greg Munn as custodian of county funds so banks can add his signature to county accounts. County staff said the change is needed to update signature cards following…