Ben Hill County commissioners cap probate retainer, ratify AmeriPro ambulance contract and approve SPLOST actions

Ben Hill County commissioners on Dec. 6 approved a series of budget and administrative actions, including a 3–2 vote to cap the Probate Judge retainer for vital records at $17,000 annually and unanimous approvals of a budget amendment, an EMA director appointment and an ambulance contract.

The meeting opened at 6 p.m. in the Ben Hill County Courthouse Annex, where Chairman Steve Taylor led the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance and commissioners approved the agenda with an add‑on reappointing William Gleaton to the Board of Elections. Commissioners then suspended the regular meeting to hold a public hearing on the FY2023 proposed budget. Chief Finance Officer Darlow Maxwell said the General Fund was advertised in local newspapers as $11,284,997.50 for revenues and expenditures and noted additional funds should have been included with the advertised materials.

Judge Melinda Stembridge spoke during the constitutional officer remarks and said she opposed the proposed retainer for the probate vital‑records fee, saying prior judges had not taken such a retainer and citing that Judge David Hobby “generously gave 60%” back to the county when finances were strained. There were no public comments during the hearing, and the commissioners closed the hearing and returned to regular business.

Under new business, Commissioner John Mooney successfully moved to cap the Probate Judge retainer at $17,000 per year; Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon seconded. The motion passed 3–2, with Commissioners Bennie Calloway and Daniel Cowan voting against it. The meeting record shows the yes votes came from Mooney, Harmon and Chairman Taylor.

Commissioners unanimously adopted a budget amendment resolution for Fund 340 related to Perry House Road and Ed Ward Road grant work. County Manager Michael Dinnerman reported staff are coordinating SPLOST work with Election Supervisor Cindi Dunlap and said the county completed an ambulance service transition to AmeriPro on Nov. 30. The board voted unanimously to ratify the ambulance contract with AmeriPro.

The board also ratified a resolution calling for an election to reimpose SPLOST, ratified the SPLOST intergovernmental agreement and authorized the chairman to execute it, and ratified a 2023 SPLOST IGA for capital outlay projects; each SPLOST‑related motion passed without recorded opposition.

Commissioner Daniel Cowan moved to appoint Jacob Hughes as EMA director; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously. Commissioners also reappointed Mary Young and William Gleaton to the Board of Elections, approved the 2023 holiday calendar (which includes Juneteenth) and authorized employee Christmas bonuses of $100 for full‑time staff and $50 for part‑time staff — all by unanimous vote.

Votes at a glance: Probate Judge retainer cap — motion passed 3–2 (Mooney, Harmon, Taylor yes; Calloway, Cowan no). Budget Amendment (Fund 340 — Perry/Ed Ward grant) — passed unanimously. EMA Director appointment (Jacob Hughes) — passed unanimously. Ambulance service contract with AmeriPro — ratified unanimously. SPLOST election call and related IGAs — ratified unanimously. Mary Young and William Gleaton — reappointed to Board of Elections, unanimously. 2023 holiday calendar and employee Christmas bonuses — approved unanimously.

Chairman Steve Taylor adjourned the meeting after Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon thanked community members for supporting Christmas gifts; Harmon said all 119 Ben Hill County foster children were sponsored this year. The meeting minutes were signed by Chairman Steve Taylor and County Clerk Donna R. Prather.