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Ben Hill County grants tax commissioner limited authority to waive penalties, accept payments
Summary
On Jan. 4 the Ben Hill County Board approved two measures expanding the Tax Commissioner's administrative authorities: a resolution to allow waiver of penalties and interest and a motion authorizing acceptance of tax payments and fees; Tax Commissioner Barry Foster reported collection figures.
The Ben Hill County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 4 approved two administrative measures to streamline tax collection procedures.
Tax Commissioner Barry Foster reported that 2021 tax collections were about 0.25 percentage points ahead of the previous year and said 2020 taxes are 98.39% collected, leaving roughly $90,000 due for county collections and about $97,000 for the school system. Foster also noted the state's upgraded vehicle system is operating but is slow with printing and reporting.
Following the report, Commissioner John Mooney moved to approve a resolution titled 'Tax Commissioner Authority to Waive Penalties & Interest'; Vice-Chair Hope Harmon seconded and the motion passed with all five commissioners voting in favor. Commissioners also voted to authorize the Tax Commissioner to accept payments of taxes and fees after a separate motion and second; that measure likewise passed unanimously.
The measures, as recorded in the meeting minutes, delegate limited administrative discretion to the county’s tax office to manage late-payment penalties and to accept payments and fees; the minutes do not include implementation details or specific written policy language. The board took no further material debate on these items during the meeting.
