Ben Hill County commissioners approve transfer of E‑911 management, $4M TAN and purchase of sheriff computers
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Summary
At a May 7 meeting, Ben Hill County commissioners voted to transfer E‑911 management to the board, authorized a $4,000,000 tax anticipation note at 4.50% and approved buying 30 computers for the sheriff’s office amid a reported jail cyber-attack that county staff said involved a $240,000 ransom demand.
Ben Hill County commissioners on May 7 approved three measures meant to tighten control of emergency services, shore up short-term cash flow and replace aging technology in the sheriff’s office.
Chairman Steve Taylor presided over the meeting at the Ben Hill County Courthouse Annex. The board voted to transfer management authority for E‑911 services from the sheriff’s office to the Board of Commissioners. The motion was introduced by Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon and seconded by Commissioner Bennie Calloway; the transcript records Vice‑Chair Harmon, Commissioner Calloway and Commissioner Daniel Cowan as voting for the motion.
County Manager Michael Dinnerman reported the county remains "financially sound" and contrasted the current year with last year, when the county borrowed $1.5 million in tax anticipation notes. He told commissioners the county is seeking authority for a new Tax Anticipation Note (TAN) and recommended the board approve a TAN in the principal amount of $4,000,000 at a fixed 4.50% interest rate to be drawn as needed with Community Bank and Colony Bank Corp. Vice‑Chair Harmon moved the TAN resolution and Commissioner Daniel Cowan seconded; the transcript records Vice‑Chair Harmon, Commissioner Cowan and Commissioner Calloway as voting for the motion, and the motion passed.
Dinnerman also reported a cyber‑attack on the county jail’s systems. "The ransom is $240,000 to release the data," he said, and he said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the FBI and the Secret Service have been contacted.
On technology needs, Dinnerman told the board the sheriff’s office requires new computers compatible with a new server and that the sheriff’s office has applied for a USDA grant that would provide 18 computers. He said that if grant funds cover those machines, any county‑purchased units would be reassigned to other departments. Commissioner Bennie Calloway moved to purchase 30 computers at an estimated cost of $1,000 each from SPLOST funds; Commissioner Daniel Cowan seconded. The transcript records Commissioners Calloway and Cowan and Vice‑Chair Harmon as voting for the motion; the motion passed.
Other business noted in the meeting included a notice of a proposed City of Fitzgerald annexation of 0.43 acres at 107 Northwood Drive, a booklet from Fitzgerald Utilities about public awareness for natural gas emergencies, and a legislative report from Vice‑Chair Harmon about the ACCG annual conference in Savannah.
There were no public comments recorded. Commissioner Bennie Calloway used his remarks to note progress on vendor payments compared with the prior year. Chairman Taylor reminded attendees of a legislative luncheon on May 8 at Irwin EMC. The meeting adjourned.
Votes recorded in the transcript list only the commissioners who voted in favor for each motion; the transcript does not record any votes against, abstentions or a complete roll call for each item.