Ben Hill County commissioners ratify DOT agreement, approve firearm sale and declare road-department surplus

The Ben Hill County Commission met Nov. 8, 2022, at the Ben Hill County Courthouse Annex and unanimously ratified a Transportation Investment Act (TIA) project agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation and approved related updates to the county roads list.

Commissioner Bennie Calloway moved to ratify the TIA Project Agreement between DOT and Ben Hill County; Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon seconded the motion and the board voted in favor (Commissioners Calloway, Harmon, Cowan, Mooney and Chairman Steve Taylor). Commissioner John Mooney later moved to ratify the GDOT-related roads-list update; Commissioner Calloway seconded and that motion also passed unanimously.

The board approved a Sale of Firearm Resolution allowing Greg Stokes to purchase his firearm. Commissioner John Mooney moved the approval; Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon seconded and all five commissioners voted in favor.

The commission also approved a Surplus Resolution for the Road Department, declaring county property surplus and authorizing disposal. Vice‑Chair Harmon moved the surplus resolution; Commissioner Daniel Cowan seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

County Manager Michael Dinnerman provided a brief administrative report, saying the county is “continuing to work on SPLOST,” that staff are “sending another 10‑day letter” as a formality, and that the county held an ambulance-service job fair. He said the “transition to the new EMS will take place November 30th” and noted he had been busy.

During public comment, Daphne Williams of 138 Creekside Court thanked the commissioners “for a job well done at the Monitor Center and the State of the County,” urging them to continue “making the tough decisions.” Daniel Cribb of 464 Zinnia Road asked about the status of the EMA position.

The board briefly recessed into an executive session to discuss personnel for approximately five minutes and then returned to the regular meeting before adjourning. The meeting record shows no opposed votes on the recorded motions.