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Ben Hill County adopts rollback millage rate; board approves tower and several resolutions
Summary
Ben Hill County commissioners approved a proposed rollback millage rate of 16.456, authorized a special‑exception cell tower, and approved resolutions including van purchases, a COVID‑19 precautions resolution and a municipal elections IGA. All motions passed unanimously.
Ben Hill County commissioners on July 6 approved a proposed rollback millage rate of 16.456 for the 2021 tax year, a slight decrease from last year’s 16.646 rate, officials said.
Chief Appraiser Joyce Merritt told the commission the digest showed $4,232,522 in real growth and $4,177,584 in reassessment growth for 2021; using those figures, the rollback rate would levy $6,029,658 in net maintenance‑and‑operations taxes, an increase of $149,677. “Due to the reassessment growth, there is a proposed rollback millage rate of 16.456,” Merritt said. Commissioner John Mooney moved to advertise and proceed with the proposed rollback rate; Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon seconded. The motion passed with all five commissioners voting in favor.
The board also approved a special‑exception request allowing Tillman Infrastructure to erect a cell tower after a public hearing. Towersource representative Andy Loeb described the proposed structure as a 325‑foot, self‑support tower capable of accommodating three carriers with AT&T identified as the anchor carrier and one reserved space for county emergency services. Commissioner John Mooney moved to approve the special exception; Vice‑Chair Harmon seconded and the motion passed unanimously. (The public hearing referenced a property on 1376 Jacksonville Hwy; the motion recorded the location as 105 Flint Road — the record shows both references.)
Other formal actions included approval of a van purchase resolution authorizing two transport vans for Ben Hill County 4‑H and Senior Citizen Nutrition; a COVID‑19 precautions resolution recognizing continued need for precautions; and approval of a Municipal Elections intergovernmental agreement (IGA) and authorization for the chairman to sign. Each of those motions passed with unanimous votes.
The county manager reported positive revenue trends, saying SPLOST is up 16.08% (about $98,000 ahead of last year) and LOST is up 15.79% (about $88,000 ahead). Chairman Steve Taylor also announced that the Georgia Department of Community Affairs had awarded Ben Hill County Qualified Local Government status following adoption of the county’s Comprehensive Plan update.
Votes at a glance: • Advertise and proceed with proposed rollback millage rate 16.456 — Passed (Mooney/Harmon; 5–0). • Special exception: Tillman Infrastructure cell tower — Passed (Mooney/Harmon; 5–0). Location discrepancy in record: 1376 Jacksonville Hwy (hearing) vs. 105 Flint Road (motion). • Rezoning request: Christopher Walker, 1124 Jacksonville Hwy (R‑9 to G‑F) — Denied (Mooney/Harmon; 5–0). • Van Purchase Resolution (two transport vans) — Passed (Harmon/Mooney; 5–0). • COVID‑19 Precautions Resolution — Passed (Mooney/Harmon; 5–0). • Municipal Elections IGA — Passed (Calloway/Harmon; 5–0).
The commission recorded an executive session (no details provided) and adjourned. Minutes were signed by Chairman Steve Taylor and County Clerk Donna R. Prather.
