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Ben Hill County Commission approves variance, fee updates, budget amendment, appointments and agreements
Summary
The commission unanimously approved a variance for a 60‑foot flagpole, adopted updated environmental health fees, approved a 2023 budget amendment affecting multiple funds, reappointed Connie Graham, raised the mileage rate to $0.67 per mile, and approved mutual‑aid and opioid‑settlement delegate actions.
At its March 5 meeting the Ben Hill County Commission approved a string of routine and administrative measures, including a land‑use variance, fee schedule updates, a budget amendment and several personnel and intergovernmental matters.
The board voted unanimously to approve a variance allowing Stephen Foster to erect a 60‑foot flagpole at 130 Ocilla Highway after staff told the commission an application had been submitted, joint owners notified and public notice run in the Herald Leader. "The staff recommends approval of the request," County Manager Michael Dinnerman reported.
Commissioners adopted an updated environmental health fee schedule for the Ben Hill Board of Health; Commissioner Daniel Cowan moved the measure and Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon seconded. CFO Darlow Maxwell presented a 2023‑03 budget amendment that applies to Fund 100 (General Fund), Fund 2013 (Special Investigations), Fund 327 (2023 SPLOST), Fund 335 (TSPLOST) and Fund 340 (Perry House/Ed Ward Road Project); the amendment passed unanimously.
The board reappointed Connie Graham to the South Georgia Community Service Board and approved a mileage‑reimbursement rate increase to $0.67 per mile. (The meeting transcript used the phrase ".67 cents"; county practice and the board’s recorded motion indicate the standard mileage rate is $0.67 per mile.)
Commissioner Daniel Cowan was also approved to nominate Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon as the county’s voting delegate for the Georgia Opioid Settlement Advisory Commission (GOSAC) and Regional Advisory Councils (RACs), and the commission approved a Statewide Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA). Several motions were moved, seconded and passed with all five commissioners voting in favor.
County Manager Michael Dinnerman announced CFO Darlow Maxwell will retire March 16; the commission said thanks for his service. Chairman Steve Taylor said the county is opening the county manager position and will begin accepting resumes and advertising the vacancy. During the legislative report Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon said a P25 public‑safety radio communications project to fix coverage dead spots in schools and on county roads was estimated at roughly $3–5 million and that rural hospital funding remains a concern.
During public comment resident Alaine Cook asked about appealing a previously approved special exception allowing Irma Rodrigues Rivera to operate a trailer‑customization business; County Manager Dinnerman said appeals of the commission’s decision must be pursued in Superior Court. The meeting adjourned after brief commissioners’ remarks.
