News : BDG: County budget cut would eliminate director's position, threaten its future

Members of the Benton Development Group (BDG) say that the decision by the Benton County Board of Supervisors to reduce its funding of BDG from $47,000 this budget year to $20,000 for the coming year is a decision that threatens the future of the organization, as well as the job of its director.

The BDG board met Thursday night, and its members plan to attend Tuesday morning's budget hearing and supervisors meeting to make their case for continued funding at the $47,000 level.

"This is a short-term decision that will have a long-term effect on Benton County. I love my job and I am concerned about the consequences of this decision," said BDG Executive Director Ranea Becker. "They cut $27,000 from $47,000 last year -- it hurts BDG and threatens our survival -- how does an organization run on a $28,000 budget?"

Under the proposed budget, BDG would receive $20,000 from the county and $8,000 from funding for special projects from other sources.

Becker said that the supervisors told the BDG members to "go to the communities of the county" for funding.

"But those communities have all set their budgets and have no extra money to give anyway," she said.

All three supervisors -- Jason Sanders, Don Frese and Terry Hertle -- agreed on the budget decision.

Sanders said the decision was purely a budgeting issue and the limited availability of funds. He said the supervisors are not trying to eliminate Becker's position.

"What they do with their funds is their decision," he said.