Camden, Tenn.–Benton County Mayor Mark Ward has announced the passage of a balanced budget, which includes a large increase in funding for public safety and no property tax hike. The Sheriff’s budget receives a total $969.368.00 increase over Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
The balanced budget was accomplished with increased public safety funding, and without raising property taxes on the citizens of Benton County, Ward said.
Mayor Ward said: “I am extremely grateful to the Budget Committee and the county commission. They worked tirelessly on this budget, and were able to provide adequate funding for county government operations, without further burdening our taxpayers. Through creative solutions, they were able to fund an unprecedented budget increase of almost 1 million dollars for the Benton County Sheriff’s Department. This gives the Sheriff a total budget of over 4.2 million dollars, to allow for enhanced service to the people of Benton County. Included in this increase is a pay raise of $1.50 per hour for all sheriff’s department and jail employees. With this raise, Benton County’s Deputies and Correctional Officers will become among the top paid in the surrounding areas.”
The budget was passed by the Benton County Commission during a special called meeting.
The Benton County Mayor’s Office continually strives to better serve the people of Benton County and to move our community forward for the advancement of our county and its citizens, Ward said.