Benton County Proposes 10% Budget Increase

FOLEY - Benton County Commissioners have approved a tentative budget and levy for next year.

The proposed budget for 2013 is nearly $4.4 million -- just over $3.6 million more than this year -- or a 10% increase.  The increased budget is primarily related to a larger road construction program for 2013.  Some of those high-ticket projects include: the second phase of the County Road 78 reconstruction, the local share of the Rice Trunk Highway 10 interchange, and the County/State-Aid Highway 6 reconstruction project.

The proposed property tax levy would increase by 2%. The levy increase is due to increase employee wages, a 6% increase in health insurance premiums, a less money available from the County Program Aid dollars.