Ben Hill County commissioners approve detention‑services and fire‑alarm contracts, designate Open Records Officer; SRO contract removed

Ben Hill County commissioners met on Sept. 3, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the county commission meeting room and approved several routine and contractual items on the agenda. Commissioners also authorized the South Georgia Regional Commission to file a Department of Transportation application on the county’s behalf and designated Pamela D. Turner as the county’s primary Open Records Officer.

Why it matters: The approved contracts address county facility compliance and safety (a detention-services agreement and a fire-alarm replacement), and the DOT authorization advances potential transportation funding or projects led through the regional commission. County staff reported a separate road contract cannot proceed until a wetland permit is secured, which delays that procurement.

The motions and outcomes Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon moved to approve the meeting agenda with the removal of the School Resource Officers contract; Commissioner Daniel Cowan seconded, and the motion passed with Chairman Steve Taylor, Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon, Commissioner Daniel Cowan, Commissioner Bennie Calloway and Commissioner John Mooney voting yes.

Commissioner Daniel Cowan moved to approve the minutes of the Aug. 6 regular meeting; Commissioner John Mooney seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Cowan also moved to approve the minutes of the Aug. 14 special called meeting (11:30 a.m.); John Mooney seconded and that motion passed with all five commissioners voting yes.

Open Records custodian Commissioner Daniel Cowan moved to designate Pamela D. Turner as the primary Open Records Officer and Deanna Griffin as the alternate; Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon seconded. The motion passed with all five commissioners voting in favor. Pamela D. Turner is recorded in the minutes as County Clerk.

Department of Transportation application Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon moved and Commissioner John Mooney seconded a resolution authorizing the South Georgia Regional Commission to file an application with the Georgia Department of Transportation on behalf of the Ben Hill County Board of Commissioners. The motion passed unanimously.

Contracts approved Commissioner John Mooney moved to approve an American Detention Services agreement, described in the minutes as set forth by the fire marshal to bring the facility into compliance; Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon seconded and the commission voted 5–0 to approve the contract.

Mooney also moved to approve an IDS fire‑alarm contract to replace the system at 255 Appomattox Road; Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon seconded and the motion passed with all five commissioners voting yes.

County manager report and procurement notes County Manager Michael Dinnerman reported that a bid opening for a Monitor Project is scheduled for Sept. 4, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. He also told the commission that the contract for Edward Road/Perry House Road cannot be offered or voted on until a wetland permit is approved; the minutes note there were two bidders whose bids were within about $30,000 of one another.

School Resource Officer contract The minutes record that the School Resource Officer (SRO) contract was removed from the agenda because the commission determined more information was needed; there was no vote or contract action on SROs at this meeting.

Other items No constitutional officer reports, department head reports, county board reports, legislative report or public comments were recorded. The minutes note that an executive session would be held if needed, citing O.C.G.A. 50‑14‑2(1), 50‑14‑2(2), 50‑14‑3(4) and 50‑14‑3(6). The meeting was then adjourned.

Votes at a glance: • Approve agenda with SRO contract removed — mover: Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon; second: Commissioner Daniel Cowan; outcome: approved (5 yes). • Approve Aug. 6, 2024 regular meeting minutes — mover: Commissioner Daniel Cowan; second: Commissioner John Mooney; outcome: approved (5 yes). • Approve Aug. 14, 2024 special meeting minutes — mover: Commissioner Daniel Cowan; second: Commissioner John Mooney; outcome: approved (5 yes). • Designate Open Records Officer (Pamela D. Turner) — mover: Commissioner Daniel Cowan; second: Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon; outcome: approved (5 yes). • Authorize South Georgia Regional Commission to file DOT application — mover: Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon; second: Commissioner John Mooney; outcome: approved (5 yes). • Approve American Detention Services agreement — mover: Commissioner John Mooney; second: Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon; outcome: approved (5 yes). • Approve IDS fire‑alarm contract (255 Appomattox Rd.) — mover: Commissioner John Mooney; second: Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon; outcome: approved (5 yes).

The commission adjourned; the minutes are signed by Chairman Steve Taylor and County Clerk Pamela D. Turner.