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Tag: Budget

June 4, 2025 in News

Benton County Budget Committee approves 2025-27 biennium budget

The Benton County Budget Committee closed a week of budget hearings on May 30 by approving the proposed 2025-27 budget with just four amendments. Financial Services staff are preparing the approved budget document for a final public hearing on June 17 before the Board of Commissioners. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the BOC will consider any further changes and adopt the 2025-27 budget.

The Budget Committee met on May 27, 29 and 30 to consider proposed biennium budgets for the County, the Library Services County Service District, and the 911 Emergency Services County Service District. The Library Services and 911 Services budgets were approved on May 27 with no amendments.

County administration and department heads presented detailed budgets to the Committee for the County’s 15 offices and departments, answering Committee members’ questions as they were raised. Following the final presentation, the Committee deliberated and created four amendments to the proposed County budget:

  1. They established a $1 cost center within the General Fund – under Public Safety Operating Programs – to start saving for a new correctional facility. This action creates a new line item for a facility that is desperately needed to replace the inadequate County Jail.
  2. They funded the budget line to continue the Sheriff’s Office work crew. Work crew is a public safety operating program that offers an alternative to incarceration through community service.
  3. They increased the budget by $847,000 to support dedicated funds for the Behavioral Health Deflection program that was launched at the beginning of 2024. This program provides another alternative to incarceration specifically for people cited for drug possession.
  4. They opted to maintain the current 2023-25 rate (3%) for deferred compensation for management and unrepresented employees.

In total, the approved budget was increased from $539,427,492 to $540,274,492 due to the $847,000 increase for the Behavioral Health Deflection Program. All other amendments were accomplished without increasing the total cost of the budget. Allocations were created by decreasing contingencies in multiple other funds to levels that still prudently mitigate budget risk.

Proposed budget documents, department presentations and recordings of all Budget Committee meetings are available for public viewing online at finance.bentoncountyor.gov/events/benton-county-budget-hearing-2025.

The Board of Commissioners will conduct a final public hearing on June 17 to consider and adopt the budget. They can make changes to the approved budget before adopting, but if they exceed 10% change per fund, another public notice and hearing will be required. The adopted budget will take effect on July 1.

Entrance to Benton County's Kalapuya Building

April 4, 2025 in News

Benton County freezes recruitment efforts to protect current jobs amid funding uncertainty

Benton County has announced a partial hiring freeze taking effect soon. Recruitment has been paused for several previously posted positions to slow spending for the rest of the 2023-25 budget term. This preemptive measure is intended to prevent job loss in the 2025-27 biennial budget cycle beginning July 1, 2025.

By reducing the overall cost of the labor force, the County is protecting employees’ jobs in a challenging time for public entities. Last week OPB reported that most Oregon counties are forecasting budget deficits and cutting programs. Although Benton County is not mentioned in that reporting, it faces similar budget pressures.

“Benton County has a tremendously strong and skilled workforce, and we don’t want to lose a single person currently employed by the County,” says County Administrator Rachel McEneny. “With the uncertainty of federal and state funding that has come up in the last two months, we’re taking preventive measures to make sure our budget will continue to cover wages and benefits for our dedicated employees as the federal landscape changes.”

The lack of growth in Benton County puts additional strain on the budget. Building has stalled in much of the County, leading to lower revenues from property taxes. Revenues from document recording fees and land use and building permits are also falling short of projected amounts for the 2023-25 biennium. This results in lower projected revenues for 2025-27.

In addition to stopping recruitment for several current job openings, some planned hiring will be put on hold. Recruitment will continue for law enforcement and mandated positions.

“We recognize the challenges County workers face when there are staffing deficits,” says McEneny. “Right now, we’re working to keep people employed for the long term. Department heads are exploring adaptations and efficiency measures to maintain current service levels without straining their staff.”

The County’s financial services department is preparing the 2025-27 proposed budget document to present to the Budget Committee beginning May 27, 2025. Three days of budget hearings are scheduled. Final budget recommendations will be presented to the Board of Commissioners for adoption in June.

These meetings are open to the public, and the full proposed budget will be available for review about a week before the first meeting date.

Visit the County’s website to learn more about the budgeting process and view the 2023-25 Adopted Budget.

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