Committee OKs 2013 County budget

— Benton County’s Budget Committee approved a 2013 budget Nov. 20 that leaves about $20,000 in projected revenue unspent.

The committee voted to send the budget to the Finance Committee for its Dec. 4 meeting (after press time). The budget will then move to the Committee of 13 on Dec. 11 and to the Quorum Court for final approval Dec. 20.

The budget tentatively approved by the Budget Committee includes 2 percent raises. Beyond that, the committee approved some personnel and capital requests and rejected others.

Among items left unfunded is a request from the Sheriff’s Office for 10 patrol units and a request for four vehicles for the Benton County Jail. A new prisoner transport for the jail was approved.

The Road Department had $356,500 in capital requests, for new equipment and vehicles, approved for inclusion in the 2013 budget. The department already cut its initial request by half and the committee took no time to approve the remaining items.

Sports, Pages 9 on 12/05/2012