Benton County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Benton County agendas: park boardwalk contract, federal detainee housing, 2027-28 budget

Benton County boards scheduled meetings over the past two weeks on contracts, the 2027-2028 budget and behavioral health programs. Minutes for those meetings have not yet been published, so the records reviewed do not establish any outcomes, approvals or vote tallies. What follows is drawn from the published agendas.

Commissioners: park boardwalk, snow removal, jail food service

The Board of Benton County Commissioners met in Prosser on Oct. 6. Its agenda listed a vote on a consent agenda covering payroll, accounts payable, fund transfers, equipment purchases and several contracts. Among the contracts listed were awarding CB26-09, the Two Rivers Park Boardwalk Project, to Shoemaker Excavation, Inc., and CB26-12, Benton County Snow Removal Services, to Ellison Earthworks, LLC. The agenda also listed a sixth contract amendment with Aramark Correctional Services, LLC for jail and juvenile justice center food services, and ratification of Change Order #11 with Chervenell Construction Company for the Juvenile Justice Remodel Project. A 2027-2028 budget discussion and a semi-annual briefing from the Benton City Revitalization Organization were also scheduled. Public comment was available in person, by phone or via WebEx.

The board's Oct. 13 agenda listed an interlocal agreement with the City of Prosser for law enforcement services, an agreement with Shoemaker Excavation, Inc. for the Two-Rivers Park Boardwalk Project, a contract with Matheson Painting, LLC for the Benton County Old Jail and Justice Center water leak, a vendor purchasing agreement with L.N. Curtis and Sons for Corrections Department uniforms, and Cisco Webex voice cloud migration and calling subscription services from CompuNet, Inc. A presentation from the Columbia Basin Veteran's Center was also scheduled.

Planning Commission: Comprehensive Plan Update

The Planning Commission met Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. at 7112 W. Okanogan Place, Building E, Room 303, in Kennewick. The agenda listed roll call, approval of minutes from May 5, 2026, and a presentation on the 2026 Comprehensive Plan Update by Planning Manager Damien Hooper. No ordinances, contracts or public hearings were listed in the agenda text.

Behavioral health: recovery housing, Columbia Valley Center

The Benton-Franklin Behavioral Health Advisory Committee met Oct. 8. Agenda items included a discussion of BHCore and POISE with Dr. Jennifer Stuber, updates on the Columbia Valley Center for Recovery, a discussion of recovery housing and recovery housing services, CVCR youth services updates, and sub-committee updates on mental health and substance use disorder services.

LEOFF Disability Board

The Law Enforcement Officers' & Fire Fighters' Disability Board met Oct. 7. Its agenda listed approval of minutes from Aug. 5, 2026, hearings, an executive session and time for old and new business.

Coming up

• **Oct. 20 — Board of Benton County Commissioners.** Agenda items include an intergovernmental agreement with the US Marshals Service for housing federal detainees at the Benton County Jail; a first amendment to the contract with Kirby Nagelhout Construction Co. for the Fairgrounds Buildings Facade Upgrade Project; a grant agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce for the Sundance Water System Improvement; release of retainage for Banlin Construction, LLC regarding the Canine Control Expansion Project; and an agreement between the Benton County Coroner's Office and Interactive Data, LLC (iDi Core).
• **Oct. 21 — Board of Benton County Commissioners special meeting.** The session is scheduled to discuss the water situation in the Yakima Basin and Horse Heaven Hills, with a presentation on climatological conditions and "Super El Niño" by Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco and a presentation on cloud seeding technologies by Rainmaker Technologies Director Brandon Monson.

Benton County commissioners take up 2027-2028 budget, park boardwalk and broadband items; minutes still pending

Benton County commissioners spent the past two weeks on agendas covering the 2027-2028 budget, a park construction award, broadband agreements and jail-related contracts. Minutes for all five recent meetings had not been published as of Oct. 13, so the record available so far shows what was scheduled, not what was decided. No dollar amounts and no vote tallies appear in the agenda text provided.

Commissioners: budget, park boardwalk, broadband

The Board of Benton County Commissioners met Oct. 6 in Prosser with a consent agenda covering payroll, accounts payable, fund transfers, equipment purchases and several contracts. Among the listed items: awarding CB26-09, the Two Rivers Park Boardwalk Project, to Shoemaker Excavation, Inc.; awarding CB26-12 Benton County Snow Removal Services to Ellison Earthworks, LLC; a sixth contract amendment with Aramark Correctional Services, LLC for jail and juvenile justice center food services; and ratification of Change Order #11 with Chervenell Construction Company for the Juvenile Justice Remodel Project. Scheduled business included a semi-annual briefing from the Benton City Revitalization Organization and a discussion of the 2027-2028 budget. Public comment was available in person, by phone or via WebEx.

At the Sept. 29 meeting, the agenda listed a broadband network agreement with PocketiNet Communications Inc. and a grant agreement with the Washington State Broadband Office, along with a Purple Heart County discussion and a traffic-safety overtime grant agreement with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. Consent items included a right of way easement at the Transitional Housing Property at 900 South Auburn Street, Kennewick WA, to Public Utility District No. 1 of Benton County; approval of construction plans and authorization to advertise and bid for Bid No. CB 24-18 C.E. 2025 CRP - Hanks Road Phase 1 Project; an amendment to Resolution 2022-286 updating Pagefreezer Software, Inc. addendum pricing for archiving additional social media accounts; and a second amendment to a personal services contract with Master's Touch LLC for Benton County property tax statements, amending Resolution 2025-565.

Planning Commission: Comprehensive Plan Update

The Planning Commission met Oct. 6 at the Benton County Administration Building in Kennewick. The agenda listed roll call, approval of minutes from May 5, 2026, and a presentation on the 2026 Comprehensive Plan Update by Planning Manager Damien Hooper. No ordinances, contracts or public hearings were listed in the agenda text.

Behavioral health and disability boards

The Benton-Franklin Behavioral Health Advisory Committee met Oct. 8 to review BHCore and POISE with Dr. Jennifer Stuber, updates on the Columbia Valley Center for Recovery, recovery housing and recovery housing services, CVCR youth services, and sub-committee updates on mental health and substance use disorder services.

The Law Enforcement Officers' & Fire Fighters' Disability Board met Oct. 7 to approve minutes from Aug. 5, 2026, and conduct hearings, with an executive session and time for old and new business on the agenda.

Coming up

The Board of Benton County Commissioners meets Tuesday, Oct. 13, and will consider an interlocal agreement with the City of Prosser for law enforcement services. The agenda also lists an agreement with Shoemaker Excavation, Inc. for the Two-Rivers Park Boardwalk Project; a contract for the Benton County Old Jail and Justice Center Water Leak with Matheson Painting, LLC; a vendor purchasing agreement with L.N. Curtis and Sons for Corrections Department uniforms; and Cisco Webex Voice Cloud Migration and Calling Subscription Services from CompuNet, Inc. A presentation from the Columbia Basin Veteran's Center is also scheduled.

Benton County commissioners weigh election equipment, EV charging, and public safety tax grants

Benton County commissioners met three times in the past two weeks and have two more meetings scheduled, but no decisions have been published yet. All recent meetings were agenda-only, with minutes not yet available. The most consequential items on the table include new election tabulation hardware, electric vehicle charging stations, and recommendations for public safety sales tax funding.

Recent meetings

Aug. 11 – Board of County Commissioners

The board reviewed a consent agenda that included a purchase agreement with National Car Charging LLC for NASPO Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations Equipment and Services, a declaration and sale of surplus property, a 60-month lease for one IM C4510 copier from Pacific Office Automation, Inc., a memorandum of understanding with the Deputy Sheriffs' Guild, and a DSHS agreement with the Developmental Disabilities Administration. No votes were recorded.

Aug. 13 — Benton-Franklin Behavioral Health Advisory Committee

The committee heard updates on Phase I (Columbia Valley Center for Recovery), Phase II (Recovery Housing), and Phase III (CVCR Youth Services), led by M. Rasmussen and J. Bliss. Status reports were also given by the Communications, Mental Health Services, Substance Use Disorder Services, and Data and Quality Oversight sub-committees. The agenda indicated no formal decisions or votes.

Aug. 18 — Board of County Commissioners

The board considered a consent agenda that included the purchase of Clear Ballot Tabulation System Hardware for the Elections Office, a public hearing on Short Plat Vacation SPV 2026-004 Woodard, a contract with Career Path Services for Rapid Response Additional Assistance, an interagency agreement with the WA State Dept. of Commerce for a GMA Periodic Update Grant FY 2027, and a Sign County Program Agreement with DCYF (Agreement #2663-69632). No vote tallies were provided.

Coming up

Aug. 25 — Board of County Commissioners

The board will hold a public hearing on Subdivision Vacation SV 2026-0003 (Herling ~ D Hooper) and consider a grant agreement with HUD for the Continuum of Care Program (WA0072L0T12518), interagency agreements with the WA Administrative Office of the Courts for CASA/GAL and Juvenile Court Early Intervention Programs, and the 2027-2028 Public Safety Sales Tax Grant Funding Recommendations. A temporary change to courthouse business hours for an employee event is also on the agenda.

Aug. 26 — Comprehensive Plan workshop

A special workshop will discuss the periodic update of the Benton County Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations. Staff members Greg Wendt, Damien Hooper, Ben Floyd, and Adam Cares will lead the discussion. The meeting will be in-person, live-broadcast, and telephonic via WebEx. This is a discussion item, not a final decision.

All meetings are open to the public. Agendas and minutes are available on the county website.

Benton County roundup: Contracts, EV chargers, and voting hardware on agendas; no decisions published yet

No decisions have been published from Benton County meetings held in the past two weeks; all recent agendas are available but minutes have not yet been released. The most consequential item on any upcoming agenda is the purchase of new election tabulation hardware, scheduled for the Aug. 18 commissioners meeting.

Board of Benton County Commissioners (Aug. 4)

The board met to consider several service agreements and infrastructure projects. Agenda items included:

• Seven agreements for the School-to-Work Program with providers including Columbia Ability Alliance and Goodwill Industries
• A contract with Allstar Construction Group, Inc. for the Intersection Safety and Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements Project
• Initiation of County Road Project CRP CE 2025 Hanks Road Phase I
• A contract with KeyBank National Association for county banking services
• An agreement with Colliers Valuation & Advisory Services for land appraisal services

No votes or decisions were recorded in the agenda; minutes have not been published.

Law Enforcement Officers' & Fire Fighters' Disability Board (Aug. 5)

The LEOFF board held its regular meeting at the Benton County Courthouse in Prosser. The agenda included approval of minutes from the June 3, 2026 meeting and an executive session to review medical claims. No substantive decisions or new business items were listed.

Board of Benton County Commissioners (Aug. 11)

The commissioners considered a routine consent agenda, including accounts payable, payroll, and several contracts. Notable items included:

• A purchase agreement with National Car Charging LLC for NASPO Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations Equipment and Services
• A declaration and sale of surplus property
• A 60-month lease agreement for one IM C4510 copier from Pacific Office Automation, Inc.
• A memorandum of understanding with the Deputy Sheriffs' Guild
• DSHS Agreement 2663-71265 with the Developmental Disabilities Administration

The board also received a briefing on the Manhattan Project National Historic Park. No decisions were published.

Benton-Franklin Behavioral Health Advisory Committee (Aug. 13)

The advisory committee reviewed updates on recovery services, including Phase I (Columbia Valley Center for Recovery), Phase II (Recovery Housing), and Phase III (CVCR Youth Services). Status reports were received from the Communications, Mental Health Services, Substance Use Disorder Services, and Data and Quality Oversight sub-committees. No formal decisions or votes were indicated on the agenda.

Coming up

Board of Benton County Commissioners – Aug. 18, 2026

The board will hold a regular meeting with a consent agenda that includes the purchase of Clear Ballot Tabulation System Hardware for the Elections Office. A public hearing is scheduled for Short Plat Vacation SPV 2026-004 Woodard. Other items include a contract with Career Path Services for Rapid Response Additional Assistance (RRAA), an interagency agreement with the WA State Dept. of Commerce for a GMA Periodic Update Grant FY 2027, and a Sign County Program Agreement with DCYF (Agreement #2663-69632).

Benton County boards weigh contracts, infrastructure; minutes pending

Recent Benton County government meetings covered equipment purchases, infrastructure projects, and service contracts, but official minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed. The agendas for the Board of Benton County Commissioners (BOCC) and the Law Enforcement Officers' & Fire Fighters' Disability Board (LEOFF) are summarized below, along with two upcoming meetings.

Recent meetings

July 28 – BOCC

The BOCC agenda included several notable items:

• A purchase agreement for 19 ALPR cameras from Axon Enterprises, Inc. for the Sheriff's Office.
• Awarding the Fairgrounds Buildings Facade Upgrade Project to Kirby Nagelhout Construction Co.
• A 60-month Relay 4500 lease from Pitney Bowes Inc. for the Benton County Elections Office.
• A contract with MMEC Architecture & Interiors, LLC for the Justice Center Space Needs Project.
• Purchase of a 2025 Ford F150 vehicle for the Sheriff's Office.

August 4 – BOCC

This meeting's agenda included:

• Seven agreements for the School-to-Work Program with providers including Columbia Ability Alliance and Goodwill Industries.
• A contract with Allstar Construction Group, Inc. for the Intersection Safety and Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements Project.
• Initiation of County Road Project CRP CE 2025 Hanks Road Phase I.
• A contract with KeyBank National Association for county banking services.
• An agreement with Colliers Valuation & Advisory Services for land appraisal services.

August 5 – LEOFF Disability Board

The LEOFF board met at the Benton County Courthouse in Prosser. The agenda listed approval of minutes from the June 3, 2026 meeting and an executive session to review medical claims. No substantive decisions or new business items were listed.

All three meetings are marked as "agenda only" with minutes not yet published, so the outcomes of these items are not yet known.

Upcoming meetings

August 11 – BOCC

The BOCC will consider a routine consent agenda that includes accounts payable, payroll, and several contracts. Notable items include:

• A purchase agreement with National Car Charging LLC for NASPO Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations Equipment and Services.
• Declaration and sale of surplus property.
• A 60-month lease agreement for one IM C4510 copier from Pacific Office Automation, Inc.
• A memorandum of understanding with the Deputy Sheriffs' Guild.
• A DSHS Agreement (2663-71265) with the Developmental Disabilities Administration.

The board will also receive a briefing on the Manhattan Project National Historic Park.

August 13 – Benton-Franklin Behavioral Health Advisory Committee (BHAC)

The BHAC will review updates on Phase I (Columbia Valley Center for Recovery), Phase II (Recovery Housing), and Phase III (CVCR Youth Services). It will also receive status reports from the Communications, Mental Health Services, Substance Use Disorder Services, and Data and Quality Oversight sub-committees. No formal decisions or votes are indicated on the agenda.

Coming up

• **BOCC regular meeting** – August 11, 2026 (agenda includes EV charging stations, surplus property, and lease agreements).
• **BHAC meeting** – August 13, 2026 (recovery services updates and sub-committee reports).

Residents interested in these items can attend the meetings or review the official agendas and minutes on the county's website.

Benton County roundup: Virtual currency kiosk ban hearing, road safety project award on tap

Benton County commissioners have a full agenda for their July 21 meeting, including awarding a pedestrian safety project and ratifying a change order for Superior Court tenant improvements. Three recent county meetings — all with agendas published but minutes not yet available — covered a proposed ban on virtual currency kiosks, behavioral health updates, and multiple contract approvals.

July 21 — Board of Benton County Commissioners (upcoming)

The board will consider several items at its July 21 meeting:

• **Ratify Change Order No. 2** with ESF Development LLC for the Benton County Superior Court Tenant Improvement project.
• **Award the CE 154 Intersection Safety and Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements Project** to Allstar Construction Group, Inc.
• **Memorandum of Understanding** with Code Four Labs for a 60-day free trial of AI-assisted law-enforcement report writing tools.
• **Accept work and release retainage** for on-call plumbing maintenance by Trade Services Northwest, Inc. (dba Mr. Rooter Plumbing).
• **Purchase Agreement** with Cosco Fire Protection, Inc. for fire detection, suppression, and inspection services.

The meeting also addresses interagency grant agreements with the Washington State Office of Public Defense and a historic preservation grant with Washington State University.

July 14 — Board of Benton County Commissioners

The agenda included a public hearing for Short Plat Vacation SPV 2026-003 (Wilson ~ D Hooper) and several contract items:

• Second Amendment to the contract with Mackay Sposito, LLC for the Two-Rivers Park Boardwalk Project.
• Awarding the 2026 Backup Generator Service and Repair Contract to Legacy Telecommunications LLC.
• Change Order #5 with Fowler General Construction, Inc. for the Fairgrounds Arena Upgrade Project.
• Approval of construction plans for Calico Road and Golden Eagle Circle for Eagle Butte Subdivision.

Minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes of these items are not confirmed.

July 9 — Benton-Franklin Behavioral Health Advisory Committee

The committee was scheduled to approve minutes from its June 11, 2026 meeting and receive presentations from Lutheran Community Services and the Columbia Valley Center for Recovery. The Columbia Valley Center for Recovery presentations covered three phases: Phase I updates, Phase II (Recovery Housing) updates, and Phase III (Youth Services) updates.

Minutes have not yet been published.

July 7 — Board of Benton County Commissioners

The agenda featured a public hearing on adding Title 20 to Benton County Code to prohibit virtual currency kiosks. Other items included:

• Contract with Apollo Solutions Group, LLC for the Courthouse HVAC Upgrades Project.
• Final Plat of Harvest Ridge Phase 1 (SUB 2026-002).
• Purchase of a Toyota Tacoma for the Road Department.
• Agreement with Attorney Tyler Ashby for District Court public defense services.

Minutes have not yet been published, so it is not confirmed which items were approved.

Coming up

• **July 21** — Board of Benton County Commissioners, 9:00 a.m. (agenda posted). Items include the CE 154 Intersection Safety and Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements Project award, the Superior Court tenant improvement change order, and a 60-day free trial of AI-assisted law-enforcement reporting tools.