Chairman Taylor highlights paving, EMS upgrades and urges SPLOST renewal in State of the County address

Chairman Steve Taylor delivered the Ben Hill County State of the County address at the Jan. 3 commission meeting, describing recent investments in information-technology upgrades, a broad paving program and EMS improvements, and urging voters to renew the county's one-cent Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) in March 2023.

Taylor reviewed accomplishments including IT upgrades, resurfacing or paving work on 34 roads in the previous year and plans to replace bridges. He noted a new contract with AmeriPro for emergency ambulance service, which County Manager Michael Dinnerman said will bring new equipment, improved management, higher wages and benefits for EMS employees and real-time tracking to interface with the county 911 center.

Taylor emphasized the role of SPLOST revenue in supporting fleet replacement, heavy machinery, facility upgrades (including the E911 building and dispatch equipment), playground equipment and park improvements such as Paulk Park paving and Monitor Center playground equipment. He told the audience that the March 2023 SPLOST renewal is an opportunity to continue capital and infrastructure work that both the city and county have pursued through joint efforts.

What happens next: The commission is preparing for a March 2023 SPLOST renewal vote; the address served as a call for public awareness and voter participation rather than a formal policy vote by the commission.