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Benton County commissioners approve multiple budget shifts and appointments; hiring a full‑time animal‑control officer fails
Summary
The Benton County Commission on March 18 approved a package of appointments, budget transfers and one‑time appropriations, set an insurance‑committee meeting and approved selling the sheriff’s dog. A motion to hire a full‑time animal‑control officer failed on a roll‑call vote.
The Benton County Commission met March 18 at the Benton County Courthouse and approved a slate of appointments, budget transfers and appropriations while rejecting a request to hire a full‑time animal‑control officer.
Chair Ward Plant opened the meeting. Commissioners approved the agenda and minutes by voice vote and took up nominations and resolutions spanning appointments, appropriations and transfers across county funds.
During Citizens Forum, Ben Richardson urged the county to provide storm shelters and noted available grants, and several speakers thanked staff for recent road‑sign and guardrail improvements. Mayor Lashlee said he would consult the county attorney about meeting rules and that he would consider adding funds for storm shelters and warning‑system improvements to the budget and bring a proposal later.
On formal actions, commissioners approved multiple resolutions by voice vote or roll call, including transfers to payroll accounts in the jail and sheriff’s budgets, an appropriation of $40,000 from Fund 171 for a second sheriff patrol car, payments related to courthouse cabling upgrades and other line‑item adjustments. Notaries for March 2019 were also approved.
A high‑profile item failed: Resolution 20190318‑13, a motion to appropriate $6,105 from the unassigned fund balance to hire a full‑time Animal Control Officer for the remainder of fiscal 2018–2019, failed on a roll‑call vote with 8 Ayes, 5 Nays and 3 Passes. Supporters had cited operational needs; the motion did not receive the votes required to pass.
Other roll‑call results recorded in the meeting transcript included: • RES 20190318‑10 (jail payroll transfer): 15 Ayes, 1 Abstain (approved). • RES 20190318‑11 (sheriff payroll transfer): 15 Ayes, 1 Abstain (approved). • RES 20190318‑12 (appropriation for sheriff patrol car): 14 Ayes, 1 Nay, 1 Abstain (approved). • RES 20190318‑14 (payment for cremation permits): 14 Ayes, 2 Nays (approved). • RES 20190318‑15 (building improvements payment): unanimous approval. • RES 20190318‑16 (mental‑health invoice): 13 Ayes, 3 Nays (approved). • RES 20190318‑17 (TRRD Fund appropriation): unanimous approval. • RES 20190318‑18 (TRRD contribution funding): 15 Ayes, 1 Abstain (approved). • RES 20190318‑19 (capital‑plan property acquisitions): 15 Ayes, 1 Nay (approved). • RES 20190318‑20 (intent to reimburse ~ $500,000 with future debt): 15 Ayes, 1 Nay (approved).
The commission also approved setting the Insurance Committee to meet at 4:00 p.m. and voted to sell the sheriff’s dog. The meeting adjourned after routine business, and County Clerk Wanda Malin certified the minutes.
What happens next: Mayor Lashlee said he would prepare a budget proposal to address storm‑shelter and warning‑system needs; commissioners did not take final action on that point at the March 18 meeting.
