Ben Hill County commissioners ratify 401(a) plan, approve 5% insurance renewal and note public‑defender budget increase

The Ben Hill County Commissioners on June 7 ratified a retirement benefit resolution for senior managers, approved a 5% increase in the county’s Anthem health‑insurance renewal and were told the county’s share of the Public Defender budget rose after a state retirement change.

Commissioner John Mooney moved to ratify the "Ben Hill 401 (a) Defined Contribution Plan for Senior Management Employees" resolution; Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon seconded and the motion passed unanimously with Commissioners Mooney, Harmon, Bennie Calloway, Daniel Cowan and Chairman Steve Taylor voting in favor. The board separately approved the May 3, 2022 meeting minutes and the meeting agenda by unanimous votes.

On employee health coverage, Mooney moved to accept the Partners Benefit Group Anthem renewal rate, which includes a 5% premium increase. The motion passed unanimously. County staff did not provide a line‑item dollar total for the county’s full premium obligation during the meeting; the renewal was described only as a 5% increase.

County Manager Michael Dinnerman told the board the Public Defender’s retirement contribution was raised by the Governor, increasing that program’s total budget by $5,474.59 and increasing Ben Hill County’s share by $1,861.36 for the year. The change was presented as an unavoidable external cost rather than a discretionary county decision.

The board took no additional formal actions on personnel or budget amendments during the meeting. The commissioners scheduled their next regular meeting for July 5, 2022.

Ending: The meeting adjourned after Commissioners completed the listed votes and brief reports.