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 Munn’s recent hire; Debbie Sessions explained the mechanics to the board. The order passed on a voice vote.

- Legislative priorities: Assistant County Administrator Rick Crager presented a package of proposed 2025 state legislative priorities, including sustainable materials management, increased housing and workforce housing support, a capital request for the Jackson‑Frazier Wetland boardwalk (staff estimate of an outstanding funding gap of about $1.5 million), emergency radio infrastructure, rural water and sewer capacity, and support for deflection and jail‑alternative programs. The board approved the priorities as presented and adjusted in discussion.

- Budget priorities: staff summarized four budget priorities to guide department submissions: (1) preserve core services that affect life, health and public safety; (2) increase efficiency in service delivery and business processes; (3) sustain momentum on housing and homelessness programming that relies largely on one‑time funds; and (4) right‑size capital investments in light of reduced one‑time federal funding. The board approved the priorities, with commissioners asking staff to clarify how current service levels are represented alongside proposed new investments.

- Rural shuttle feasibility study (IMP grant): Gary Stotkov of Public Works told the board the county submitted a pre‑application to ODOT and now seeks authorization to submit a full Innovative Mobility Program application (deadline in early December). Stotkov said the grant ask would be about $80,000 and that the local match would be “about $88,000,” with staff pursuing a STIF project request as one possible match source. The board authorized staff to submit the application.

- Public Works fees and rates: the board adopted Order D2024‑054 to revise Public Works permit, application and service fees effective Jan. 1, 2025, using an approximate 3.7% CPI adjustment. Separately, the North Albany County Service District adopted a 4% water‑rate increase (matching the City of Albany’s resolution) effective Jan. 1, 2025.

- Other business: the board approved payment of National Association of Counties annual dues for 2025 totaling $1,904.

What commissioners said

Rachel McEnany, county administrator, described the administrator goals package and the workload to operationalize a crisis center, noting it will require “a large, increase in behavioral health staff” and careful coordination with local health partners. Lacey Mollel of Community Health Centers read the county’s National Rural Health Day proclamation and emphasized rural health disparities and telehealth and broadband as priorities.

Gary Stotkov, Public Works director, summarized the IMP grant proposal and funding estimates: “it would be an $80,000 ask, and our match would be about, I think $88,000 something,” and noted staff had submitted a STIF project request as a possible match.

Greg Munn, the county’s newly named CFO, thanked staff and said he was “drinking from the fire hose a little bit” while onboarding.

Votes at a glance

- Order D2024‑058 (designate CFO/custodian of funds): approved.
- 2025 state legislative priorities: approved.
- 2025–27 budget priorities: approved.
- Authorization to submit Innovative Mobility Program grant application (rural shuttle feasibility study): approved.
- Order D2024‑054 (Public Works fee revisions, effective 01/01/2025): approved.
- North Albany County Service District: adopt 4% water‑rate increase effective 01/01/2025: approved.
- NACo annual dues ($1,904): approved.

Next steps and follow up

Staff said they will finalize the IMP grant application (due in early December), continue to refine the legislative and budget priority language for lobbying partners, update bank signature cards to include Greg Munn, and bring back any clarified budget‑priority language if commissioners request additional review. The board adjourned at 11:50 a.m.

Sources: Board meeting transcript, Nov. 22, 2024 (statements and motions recorded during the meeting).