Benton City Council · Nov 3, 2026
Sylvia
Jestes
Sylvia Jestes, the incumbent, is running for Benton City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 8 candidates are running for 6 seats.
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The race · City Council
- 01Kayce Downing
- 02John Durham
- 03Guy HentonIncumbent
- 04Stanley "Butch" HollandIncumbent
- 05Sylvia JestesYou’re reading
- 06Chris Kerrick
- 07David Maddox
- 08Jeffrey Carr Thompson
Background
- About
- Benton City Council member, listed as present at the council's August 17, 2026 regular meeting.
- Party
- Nonpartisan race. Kentucky Secretary of State, Land Office
On the record: Sylvia Jestes
15 sourced01Sewer and growth2 sourced positions
Voted yes on applying for a Kentucky Infrastructure Authority loan of $1,511,850 for the West 6th Street sewer replacement, to be used only if grants fall short (passed 5-0, August 2026).
Council voteCity of Benton · Aug 17, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on committing to upgrade the sewer system for a proposed development on Old Symsonia Highway and seeking funding (passed 4-0, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Benton · May 29, 2026LinkHow the council voted
02Golf carts1 sourced position
Moved to pass an ordinance allowing golf carts on Benton city streets; the motion died for lack of a second (June 2026).
Council voteCity of Benton · Jun 15, 2026Link
03Splash pad2 sourced positions
As recorded in the council minutes
Told the council the new splash pad would cost about $700,000 for one feature, and suggested asking local businesses to sponsor it if the council wanted to start soon.
Own statementCity of Benton · Jan 20, 2026Link
Voted yes on applying for a $780,500 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for a splash pad at H.H. Lovett Park (passed 5-0, August 2026).
Council voteCity of Benton · Aug 17, 2026LinkHow the council voted
04Council vacancies3 sourced positions
As recorded in the council minutes
Nominated Chris Kerrick to fill the council seat left vacant by Kevin Farley (May 2026).
Own statementCity of Benton · May 28, 2026Link
Voted no on appointing Laura Craynon to the vacant council seat (passed 3-2, January 2026).
Council voteCity of Benton · Jan 5, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted no on appointing Brenda Edwards to the vacant council seat (passed 4-1, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Benton · Jun 15, 2026LinkHow the council voted
05Traffic safety1 sourced position
As recorded in the council minutes
Asked about a possible stop light or crosswalk at 11th and Poplar Streets because of more foot traffic there.
Own statementCity of Benton · Jul 20, 2026Link
06Housing and zoning1 sourced position
Voted yes on an ordinance lowering the density requirements for multi-residential units in an R-3 zone (passed 4-0, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Benton · Jun 17, 2026LinkHow the council voted
07Parks1 sourced position
Voted yes on awarding the First Responder Park construction bid to C & C Contracting for $892,750 (passed 4-0, April 2026).
Council voteCity of Benton · Apr 20, 2026LinkHow the council voted
08Sidewalks1 sourced position
Voted yes on awarding the Benton sidewalk project bid to KMAC Contracting for $1,207,253.22 (passed 4-0, September 2026).
Council voteCity of Benton · Sep 8, 2026LinkHow the council voted
09City budget1 sourced position
Voted yes on the City of Benton General Fund budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 (passed 5-0, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Benton · Jun 15, 2026LinkHow the council voted
10Business incentives1 sourced position
Voted yes on accepting a Kentucky Business Incentive Program offer giving up 0.2% payroll withholding tax for 10 years on up to 30 new jobs (passed 5-0, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Benton · Jul 27, 2026LinkHow the council voted
11Garbage service1 sourced position
Voted yes on adding GFL's temporary 8% fuel surcharge to garbage bills (passed 5-0, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Benton · May 18, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Sylvia Jestes: their words and their votes on the same issue
Splash pad
In their words
Told the council the new splash pad would cost about $700,000 for one feature, and suggested asking local businesses to sponsor it if the council wanted to start soon.
Jan 20, 2026 ·As recorded in the council minutes ·City of Benton · Jan 20, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on applying for a $780,500 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for a splash pad at H.H. Lovett Park (passed 5-0, August 2026).
Aug 17, 2026 ·City of Benton · Aug 17, 2026
Council vacancies
In their words
Nominated Chris Kerrick to fill the council seat left vacant by Kevin Farley (May 2026).
May 28, 2026 ·As recorded in the council minutes ·City of Benton · May 28, 2026
On the record
Voted no on appointing Laura Craynon to the vacant council seat (passed 3-2, January 2026).
Jan 5, 2026 ·City of Benton · Jan 5, 2026
Voted no on appointing Brenda Edwards to the vacant council seat (passed 4-1, June 2026).
Jun 15, 2026 ·City of Benton · Jun 15, 2026
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