City of Benton City - PROPOSITION NO. 2 · Benton County

In 2027, Benton City will pay $456,806 for Sheriff’s Office services and another $230,554 for code enforcement. That’s $699,280 just to keep basic public safety running. In 2027, Benton City will receive about $301,474 in property-taxes creating a $397,806 shortfall–a gap so large that Benton City will have to make difficult choices. This problem gets worse every year. The Sheriff’s contract rises 3% annually, while state law limits Benton City to only a 1% increase in property-tax revenue. As costs continue to rise faster than revenue, the funding gap grows larger each year. A levy lid lift would add about $400,000 in property-tax revenue, providing enough to cover the costs of public safety services. Without it, the city will have to make hard decisions that could reduce public safety, slow response times, and weaken code enforcement efforts. State law is clear: Benton City must pay for police and code enforcement from general tax revenue. Water and sewer funds cannot be used for these services. There is no backup source of money. The proposed levy lift does not create new programs or expand services. It maintains the services Benton City residents rely on: deputies patrolling neighborhoods, responding to 911 calls, and code enforcement addressing city safety issues. The levy lift is modest, predictable, and accountable to voters. It gives Benton City the ability to keep the police protection and code enforcement needed to protect our neighborhoods. A Yes vote maintains community safety and keeps Benton City strong for the future.