Benton County Will Approve Budget Next Week

(KNSI) – Benton County will approve its 2023 budget next week with the final figures very similar to what was initially proposed in September.

Administrator Montgomery Headley says there will be a spending bump of just over $1 million from this year.

“We’re looking at about a 5.47% increase in our levy for 2023. It works to be about a $1.2 million increase over 2022.”

Benton County held its truth in taxation hearing on December 8th and the Board of Commissioners met for a Committee of the Whole session Monday to put the finishing touches on the 2023 budget.

Headley says there are a couple of factors causing the jump.

“The primary drivers in the levy increase are employee compensation and benefits, obviously need to continue paying competitive wages. In the budget for step increases, we have about a 12% health insurance increase. We also use American Rescue Plan Act funds to help cover revenue losses. And those are just one-time resources that we have to replace in 2023.”

Headley said the county is also excited at the prospect of better broadband internet coverage. He says the grant to Benton Cooperative Telephone Company of roughly $1.5 million along with over $1 million matched by the county will help improve service to homes north of Highway 23.

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