Ben Hill County commission reappoints key staff, adopts budget and tax resolutions

The Ben Hill County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 3 to rehire a slate of county officials and adopt several administrative resolutions, including a 2022 budget amendment and measures related to tax collection.

The board reappointed Michael Dinnerman as county manager and Donna R. Prather as county clerk following motions by Commissioner John Mooney and seconds from Vice-Chair Hope Harmon. The commission also approved retaining Hall, Smith & Booth (with Managing Partner Tony Rowell working with County Attorney Nick Kinsley) as county legal counsel and re-hiring Tony Eckler CPA as the county auditor; each motion passed with Commissioners Mooney, Harmon, Cowan, Calloway and Chairman Steve Taylor voting in favor.

In separate actions the commission adopted a 2022 Budget Amendment Resolution and two tax-related resolutions: one authorizing the Tax Commissioner to waive penalties and interest, and another authorizing the Tax Commissioner to accept payments of taxes and fees. Vice-Chair Harmon moved the budget amendment and the waiver resolution; both motions were seconded and approved unanimously.

The board also designated Colony Bank, Community Bank and the Local Investment Pool as the county's financial institutions and named the Herald Leader as the county legal organ, motions made by Vice-Chair Harmon and carried by unanimous vote.

Commission business also included the nomination and closure of nominations confirming Commissioner Hope Harmon as Vice-Chair. Commissioner John Mooney nominated Harmon and moved to close nominations; that motion passed with all five commissioners voting in favor.

What happens next: the commission will proceed with regular oversight and implementation of the adopted budget amendments and the newly confirmed administrative contracts and designations.