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Benton County sheriff says staffing shortages and low pay threaten retention as commissioners consider budget moves
Summary
At the June 17 meeting, Sheriff Kenny Christopher told commissioners the department needs more officers and pay raises to keep staff; commissioners discussed revenue options including a wheel tax and approved a set of budget transfers that include sheriff-related line items.
Sheriff Kenny Christopher told the Benton County Commission on June 17 that his office is short-staffed and that pay increases are necessary to prevent losing deputies, framing the issue as a public-safety and retention concern. District Attorney Matt Stowe and the county attorney flagged costs such as mental‑health exams as part of the sheriff’s budget pressures.
The commission discussed revenue options at the meeting, including a proposal from Commissioner Rocky Presson to consider a wheel tax and an explicit objection from Commissioner Don Patton to any tax increases. Commissioner Rachelle Hill announced a budget meeting for June 25 to continue work on county spending priorities and singled out the Animal Control Officer and Veterans Officer positions as roles that may need expanded hours.
Later in the meeting the commission combined and approved multiple routine budget appropriations and transfers (Resolutions 20190617-03 through 20190617-10), and approved other small transfers and corrections affecting several departments. Several of the agenda items explicitly listed dollar amounts for departmental adjustments, including two items affecting the sheriff’s budget on the published agenda.
The district attorney urged the commission to pass the sheriff’s budget, and the county attorney recommended an executive session next month to discuss contract and work‑release program details. No formal vote specifically earmarking new hires or permanent pay increases for the sheriff’s office was recorded at the June 17 meeting; commissioners instead approved a series of combined budget resolutions and scheduled further budget discussion for the upcoming budget meeting.
The commission adjourned after approving the evening’s resolutions and scheduling follow-up budget work, including the June 25 meeting that Commissioner Hill called to address outstanding staffing and salary issues.
