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Benton County finance committee sends 2026 budget to Quorum Court after heated debate over staffing and jail funding
Summary
The finance committee voted 12–1 to forward the proposed 2026 budget to Quorum Court after a lengthy debate over a 7.4–7.8% increase, a $4 million reserve for jail operations and an unsuccessful motion to strip 16 newly proposed positions from the general‑fund budget.
Benton County’s Finance Committee voted on Nov. 12 to send the proposed 2026 county budget to Quorum Court after an extended debate over staffing levels, spending growth and a set‑aside for jail operations.
Chair Todd opened the meeting and, after hours of presentations and discussion, the committee approved a motion to forward the budget to Quorum Court by roll call: 12 yeas, 1 nay and 2 absent. Earlier in the evening staff reported the county was “sitting at $927,177 deficit” in the October budget snapshot and walked committee members through fund summaries, grant activity and planned appropriations.
Why it…
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