Benton and Franklin counties are breaking up, at least when it comes to some social services. 

Franklin County announced Sept. 19 that county commissioners will not renew their interlocal agreement with Benton County for human services.  

As a result, Franklin County announced it would cease on Sept. 30 jointly-provided human services, which include serving homeless individuals, providing affordable housing, administering behavioral health interventions and supporting veterans. As of Sept. 24, administrators from both counties were working on an agreement that would continue the partnership through June 30, 2026, according to a Benton County release.

Franklin County has said Benton County wanted hundreds of thousands of dollars more per year in a proposed contract renewal for human services, according to a release from Franklin County Administrator Brian Dansel. That would have required Franklin County to lay off employees, tap into its road maintenance fund or both. 

“The financial demands from Benton County were simply unreasonable, especially given the significant increase in costs and the ultimatum we were given,” Commissioner Clint Dider said in a statement. “Benton County was fully aware that our sales tax revenue had diminished by an average of 15% per month, yet they asked us to make an impossible choice.”

Benton County has denied that it was demanding the level of increased costs cited by its neighboring county, with any additional expense coming from hiring a second staff person providing veterans services, a staffing decision both counties agreed to in 2024.

”The revised agreement continues the collaborative arrangement that has been in place since 2020,” according to Benton County’s statement. “If Franklin County has decided that this arrangement is no longer affordable, or they must approach funding differently, that is entirely within their discretion.”

In a letter sent to Franklin County commissioners in August, Benton County commissioners said they needed a response to the proposal by Sept. 30 due to conversations between the county administrators that indicated Franklin County would not renew the agreement. The agreement included language that would have equally attributed liability to each county for legal claims.

“We accept that increased risk in the name of government efficiency and providing the best possible service to the residents of Benton County and partnering counties,” Benton County’s letter said. “However, that does not mean our taxpayers should be shouldering the entire burden.” 

The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business requested the existing human services interlocal agreement and the proposed renewal from Benton County but had not received them at publication time. 

Both counties have many interlocal agreements between them, including but not limited to access to autopsy facilities, juvenile justice and emergency services. 

9/26/25: This story was updated to reflect updated information on a potential temporary agreement between Benton and Franklin counties for joint human services.