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Benton County committee advances budget with 4% merit pool, 2% sales-tax projection and $4M set aside for misdemeanor pod
Summary
The Benton County budget committee on Oct. 16 approved personnel and pay measures, set a conservative 2% sales-tax revenue projection and directed staff to create a $4 million misdemeanor-pod fund, while keeping most capital items and a sheriff-requested ROV in the budget for further review.
Chairman Jones said the county began the budget process with a roughly $477,000 shortfall but that prior revenue estimates — about $6.5 million in additional general-fund revenue and $925,000 for the road fund — and choices about pay and capital leave the county with a healthy margin under the proposed framework.
Under motions approved by the committee, personnel requests will largely remain in the 2026 budget and the committee advanced a 4% merit pay program with the pay ranges increased 4% and a 6% individual cap. Justice Armis moved the raise package and Justice Dunn seconded; the committee approved the measure over two recorded opposing votes. Chairman Jones said the framework would allow department heads to grant raises within the merit pool while the cap prevents outsized individual increases.
“The motion would include a 4% pay raise that’s merit for the…
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