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Votes at a glance: Benton County meeting — ordinance banning Bitcoin kiosks; transfer to cover temporary sergeant
Summary
At the July 6 meeting the board adopted a new county code banning virtual‑currency kiosks (Title 20) and approved a budget‑neutral transfer to fund a temporary sergeant in sheriff patrol; action on two public‑defense grants was deferred to correct agenda language.
Key actions taken by the Benton County Board of Commissioners at the July 6 meeting:
Adopted Title 20 (virtual‑currency kiosks ban) The board voted to add Title 20 to the county code prohibiting virtual‑currency kiosks in unincorporated areas and imposing a $250 civil fine on the kiosk host. The ordinance was approved by voice vote; all present said "aye." Presenters emphasized recurring scams associated with the machines and cited similar local statutes in Kennewick and Richland. (Motion moved by Commissioner (speaker 2); seconded by Chair (speaker 1)).
Approved transfer of funds for temporary sergeant (Sheriff Patrol) The board approved a budget‑neutral transfer within the general fund (Fund 0010, Department 121) to fund a temporary sergeant position to staff a squad while training a new detective sergeant. County staff described the transfer as budget‑neutral and limited in duration; the motion passed on a voice vote.
Deferred action on OPD grant language Office of Public Defense staff requested the board defer action on two grants after discovering conflated language in the agenda packet: a small SPAR grant (about $3,500) and a larger operating grant (about $356,000). Staff asked for one to two weeks to correct the agenda language; the board agreed to postpone action.
Other: consent agenda approved The board approved consent agenda items a–d by voice vote earlier in the meeting.
