Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Government Meeting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ben Hill County commissioners adopt budget amendment, update alcohol license rules and confirm several board appointments
Summary
At their Feb. 2 meeting, Ben Hill County commissioners adopted Budget Amendment Resolution 2021-01 (including presentation of Fund 225, a Cares special revenue fund), approved an amended alcohol licenses ordinance and made multiple Board of Elections and Board of Assessors appointments; commissioners also agreed to post a UGA survey about the 2020 march on the county website.
Ben Hill County commissioners on Feb. 2, 2021, voted to adopt a budget amendment that adjusts General Fund departmental payroll and non-payroll accounts, approved an amendment to the county’s alcohol license ordinance and confirmed several board appointments during their regular monthly meeting at the Ben Hill County Courthouse Annex.
The budget amendment (Resolution 2021-01) was presented by CFO Darlow Maxwell, who told the commission the change is needed “to adjust the General Fund departmental expenditures both payroll and non-payroll so that the amended budget exceeds projected actual expenditures.” The resolution also presented Fund 225, the Cares Special Revenue Fund, for formal adoption; Maxwell said no budget had been adopted for that fund when it was established. Vice-Chair Hope Harmon moved to adopt Resolution 2021-01; Commissioner Bennie Calloway seconded and the motion passed with Harmon, Calloway, John Mooney and Chairman Steve Taylor voting in favor.
The commission also approved an amendment to the county’s Alcohol Licenses Ordinance. Commissioner John Mooney moved adoption; Vice-Chair Hope Harmon seconded and the motion carried with Mooney, Harmon, Calloway and Chairman Taylor voting for the measure.
On appointments, the commission filled a vacancy on the Board of Elections and approved two reappointments. Vice-Chair Hope Harmon nominated Thelma Graham to replace David Walker; the motion to appoint Graham (seconded by Commissioner John Mooney) passed 3–1, with Commissioner Bennie Calloway opposed and Chairman Taylor, Harmon and Mooney voting in favor. Mooney’s motions to reappoint Thomas Green and Danny Young to the Board of Elections passed with Harmon, Mooney and Taylor voting for and Commissioner Calloway abstaining.
Chairman Steve Taylor read a letter from Board of Assessors Chairman Randy Hughes recommending Jeffrey Smith for appointment to the Board of Assessors. Vice-Chair Harmon moved to appoint Jeffrey Smith; Commissioner Bennie Calloway seconded and the motion passed with Harmon, Calloway, Mooney and Chairman Taylor voting in favor.
During approval of prior minutes, the commission accepted a correction to the County Manager’s report from an earlier meeting; the minutes were approved with the correction that the County Manager recommended not submitting an application for the TAN. Commissioner Bennie Calloway moved to approve the Jan. 5, 2021 regular meeting minutes with the correction; Vice-Chair Harmon seconded and the motion passed.
Commissioner Bennie Calloway asked that a University of Georgia–administered survey about the Black Lives Matter march held in summer 2020 be posted on the Ben Hill County website. County Manager Michael Dinnerman asked Calloway to send the link and said he would have it added to the county’s site. Vice-Chair Hope Harmon also reported that commissioners are receiving legislative updates via Zoom and that the National Association of Counties (NACO) circulates emails and call details for federal updates.
The meeting concluded with routine business items and adjournment. Chairman Steve Taylor and County Clerk Donna Prather signed the minutes.
Votes at a glance: • Agenda approval (amended to include “The Talk After the Walk Survey”): Approved (Harmon, Calloway, Mooney, Taylor voted for; Cowan absent). • Regular meeting minutes Jan. 5, 2021 (with correction): Approved (Harmon, Calloway, Mooney, Taylor voted for). • Workshop minutes Jan. 26, 2021: Approved (Harmon, Calloway, Mooney, Taylor voted for). • Budget Amendment Resolution 2021-01: Adopted (Harmon, Calloway, Mooney, Taylor voted for). • Alcohol Licenses Ordinance Amendment: Adopted (Mooney, Harmon, Calloway, Taylor voted for). • Board of Elections — appointment of Thelma Graham (to replace David Walker): Approved 3–1 (Harmon, Mooney, Taylor for; Calloway opposed). • Board of Elections — reappointment of Thomas Green: Approved (Harmon, Mooney, Taylor for; Calloway abstained). • Board of Elections — reappointment of Danny Young: Approved (Harmon, Mooney, Taylor for; Calloway abstained). • Board of Assessors — appointment of Jeffrey Smith: Approved (Harmon, Calloway, Mooney, Taylor voted for).
What happens next: County staff will post the requested UGA survey link after Commissioner Calloway provides it to County Manager Michael Dinnerman; the county will implement the budget amendment and the county clerk will finalize and file the approved minutes.
