Residents press supervisors for studies on proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center and challenge rising sheriff budget

Public commenters used the meeting to press county supervisors on two distinct concerns: the proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center and rapidly rising public-safety budgets.

Resident James Shear introduced himself and said concerned Benton County residents sought an update on the county’s response to the proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center. Shear said the county had considered options including an ordinance and legal analysis and that staff were reaching out to specialists. He relayed that he had emailed state officials seeking assistance and had not yet received substantive responses. He also read a list of requests submitted by another resident (Jeffrey Howington) that seeks county action: formal cooperating/consulting status in review processes, an official resolution expressing county concerns, a joint public hearing that includes Benton County residents, and comprehensive environmental, traffic and emergency-response studies that specifically include Benton County indirect effects. The submission also said residents might seek a pause or legal delay (for example, injunctive relief) if adequate review and public input are not provided.

Separately, a resident raised detailed objections to the proposed sheriff's budget, citing an asking amount of about $6.7 million for fiscal year 2026–27 (the figure was presented by the commenter as the sheriff's proposed ask). The commenter asked the board to freeze budgets or otherwise realign spending given the county’s tax burden on private citizens. Supervisors responded that revenue increases in the county offset much of the budget increase for the year in question and emphasized that multi-year wage commitments (including a 4% wage increase) and other contractual obligations drive much of the change; one supervisor said new collections and reimbursements have also brought in additional revenue.

Board members invited those with questions to provide comparative county documents and meet with supervisors and staff for detailed follow-up; no formal action was taken on the Morgan Valley Energy Center requests during the meeting and the board indicated staff will continue legal analysis and outreach to subject-matter specialists.