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Benton County Quorum Court advances budget framework, approves pay plan and sets 2% sales-tax projection
Summary
The court voted to advance capital as presented, approved salary waivers and non-general-fund hires, set a 2% sales-tax revenue projection and adopted a 4% merit pay plan (6% individual cap); members also directed staff to draft an ordinance to create a $4 million misdemeanor‑pod fund.
Chairman Jones told the quorum court the county’s starting point was strong even with outstanding gaps: “if we don't include the additional revenue where we started, we're at 477,000 and change in the hole,” he said, urging a measured approach to cuts and priorities.
The court voted through a package of personnel and budget measures that keep most capital items in the plan and preserve a framework for raises and jail funding. On personnel, the court voted to advance salary waivers and adjustments (motion passed 12–1) and approved a slate of non‑general‑fund positions and other requested additions after members agreed to periodic reviews of vacancies.
After sustained discussion about revenue assumptions, Justice Armis moved to set the sales‑tax projection used in the budget to 2 percent for planning…
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