UPDATE: Benton County Commissioners Approve Bid, Financing for New Government Center

Originally published at 4:45 a.m. on June 23rd, 2025

Updated at 3:35 p.m. on June 23rd, 2025

(KNSI) – The Benton County Board of Commissioners accepted the low bid and approved 20-year financing to build a new government center on Dewey Street in Foley.

The work came in at only $24.5 million, over $5 million less than what had been estimated by project manager Contegrity Group. It was the best offer of 127 bids submitted for the project.

The board also heard about financing options. A group of citizens opposed to the project was able to get enough petition signatures that would have required it to go to a referendum before capital improvement plan bonds could be used. The CIP program is typically available for infrastructure projects.

The petition has already been certified by Benton County Auditor-Treasurer Christine Scherbing as legitimate. At last week’s regular meeting, the commissioners opted against putting the issue up for a vote.

Instead, the county will use debt financing through the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Benton County expects the owner of a median-priced home to pay an extra $85 per year due to the project.

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