Ben Hill County adopts $12.46 million FY2026 budget; approves $2 million GEFA loan guaranty and $207,000 tractor purchase

BEN HILL COUNTY, Ga. — The Ben Hill County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 2 to adopt a $12,461,745 fiscal year 2026 budget and approved a package of routine resolutions and purchases, including a partial $2,000,000 guaranty for a Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) loan for the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Regional Solid Waste Management Authority.

The action came during the board’s regular monthly meeting at the Ben Hill County Commissioner meeting room, 321 Dewey McGlarmry Road. Commissioner John Mooney moved to adopt the FY2026 proposed budget “as presented” and Vice-Chair Hope Harmon seconded. All five commissioners present voted in favor.

The budget adoption sets the county’s revenue and expenditure plan for the coming fiscal year. The board also approved a FY2025 budget amendment for Fund 100 expenditures and approved employee Christmas bonuses of $100 for full-time employees and $50 for part-time employees, specifically excluding elected officials and the county manager.

On county finance, the board approved a resolution authorizing a partial guaranty of a GEFA loan in the amount of $2,000,000 on behalf of the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Regional Solid Waste Management Authority. Commissioner Daniel Cowan made the motion and Vice-Chair Hope Harmon seconded. The transcript records the approved guaranty amount but does not include the loan’s terms or repayment conditions.

The commissioners also approved several operational items: they accepted an ACCG workers compensation proposal; adopted a resolution declaring county real property located at 405 E. Altamaha Street surplus and authorizing disposal; approved a quote from Tidewater Ag & Construction Company to purchase a 2022 Case-brand tractor with a Tiger side-arm mower for $207,000 for the road department; and approved a memorandum of option and ground lease agreement between Ben Hill County and Crown Towers.

Chairman Hal Wiley offered a brief personal remark about having dinner with the Czech Republic ambassador, an event he credited to Jason Dunn; the comment was not tied to county business.

Votes at a glance

- Approve agenda — Moved: Vice-Chair Hope Harmon; Second: Commissioner Bennie Calloway; Outcome: Passed (5–0). - Approve minutes (Nov. 4, 2025) — Moved: Commissioner Bennie Calloway; Second: Vice-Chair Hope Harmon; Outcome: Passed (5–0). - Approve minutes (Nov. 20, 2025 public hearing) — Moved: Vice-Chair Hope Harmon; Second: Commissioner Bennie Calloway; Outcome: Passed (5–0). - Adopt FY2026 proposed budget ($12,461,745) — Moved: Commissioner John Mooney; Second: Vice-Chair Hope Harmon; Outcome: Passed (5–0). - Adopt FY2025 budget amendment (Fund 100) — Moved: Commissioner John Mooney; Second: Vice-Chair Hope Harmon; Outcome: Passed (5–0). - Employee Christmas bonuses ($100 full-time; $50 part-time; excludes elected officials and county manager) — Moved: Commissioner John Mooney; Second: Vice-Chair Hope Harmon; Outcome: Passed (5–0). - Approve 2026 holiday calendar — Moved: Vice-Chair Hope Harmon; Second: Commissioner Daniel Cowan; Outcome: Passed (5–0). - Approve ACCG workers compensation proposal — Moved: Commissioner John Mooney; Second: Vice-Chair Hope Harmon; Outcome: Passed (5–0). - Declare 405 E. Altamaha Street surplus and authorize disposal — Moved: Commissioner John Mooney; Second: Vice-Chair Hope Harmon; Outcome: Passed (5–0). - Approve partial guaranty of GEFA loan ($2,000,000) for Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Regional Solid Waste Management Authority — Moved: Commissioner Daniel Cowan; Second: Vice-Chair Hope Harmon; Outcome: Passed (5–0). - Approve quote for 2022 Case tractor with Tiger side-arm mower ($207,000) — Moved: Commissioner John Mooney; Second: Vice-Chair Hope Harmon; Outcome: Passed (5–0). - Approve memorandum of option and ground lease with Crown Towers — Moved: Vice-Chair Hope Harmon; Second: Commissioner Daniel Cowan; Outcome: Passed (5–0).

What it means

The board’s actions establish the county’s spending plan for FY2026 and approve a set of routine administrative and capital actions. The transcript documents approved dollar amounts for the budget, the GEFA guaranty and the tractor purchase; it does not provide detailed terms for the GEFA loan guaranty or the tractor procurement contract beyond the vendor and price.

Next steps

Minutes were signed and the meeting adjourned. The record lists no public comments or executive session during this meeting.