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Ben Hill County manager urges March 2023 SPLOST timing; resident presses for action on abandoned house
Summary
County Manager Michael Dinnerman urged placing a 2023 SPLOST on a March ballot to avoid a one‑year delay if a November vote fails; resident Verna Larkin urged the county to address an abandoned Preston Drive house she says has been unresolved since 2018.
County Manager Michael Dinnerman told the Ben Hill County Commissioners on June 7 that he is working on planning for a 2023 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) and recommended placing the measure on a March 2023 ballot rather than November. Dinnerman said the city will hold only one meeting and cautioned that "If we put it on the November ballot and the SPLOST don't pass, we would have to wait a year before we can place it back on the ballot." He recommended developing a marketing plan and allowing the incoming city mayor time to establish credibility.
During public comment, resident Verna Larkin of 180 Preston Drive said she raised concerns at a May 8, 2018 meeting about an abandoned house on Preston Drive that she characterized as "an eye sore, a nuisance" and said "nothing has been done." County Manager Dinnerman acknowledged familiarity with the property, explained that in 2018 the county lacked its own code‑enforcement staff and relied on the City of Fitzgerald, and said the county has since staffed Building and Zoning but the matter "may have to process this through the Court." Commissioner Bennie Calloway said residents had attempted to buy the property but the owner did not respond.
Ending: The commissioners heard the comment and indicated they would look into the matter; no formal enforcement action or deadline was recorded in the meeting minutes.
