Commission waives fees for local rodeo, approves gunsmith special exception; tax office reports property sales
March 01, 2026 | Ben Hill County, Georgia
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During the April 4, 2023 Ben Hill County Commission meeting, the board acted on administrative permits and received an update from the tax commissioner.
County Manager Michael Dinnerman told the commission that Hal Wiley organizes an annual rodeo that donates all proceeds to local law enforcement. Wiley had moved the event’s date after complaints it fell on Mother’s Day weekend and the promoter asked for more money; the original venue at Paulk Park was rented to another party, so the event is proposed to be held at 221 Gettysburg Road. Dinnerman said event preparations were in place. Vice-Chair Hope Harmon moved to waive the $25 application fee and the $100 special event fee and to approve the permit; Commissioner Daniel Cowan seconded and the motion passed 5-0.
On zoning, Building and Zoning Administrator Jacob Hughes reported that James Ussery requested a special exception to open a gunsmith business on his grandmother’s property at 150 Lulaville Road, a parcel zoned general farming. Hughes said adjacent property owners were contacted and the request was posted on the property. Vice-Chair Harmon moved to approve the special exception; Commissioner John Mooney seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Tax Commissioner Barry Foster updated the commission that his office has sold 21 of 29 properties scheduled for sale and that a mobile sale is planned for the first Tuesday in May. He also reported the office now has new printers and computers.
Other routine actions recorded in the minutes included approval of the meeting agenda and the March 7, 2023 minutes, and a temporary suspension of the regular meeting to conduct the public hearing; all routine motions passed by unanimous votes. The meeting later entered an executive session for legal matters and then adjourned.
Provenance: The special event permit and fee waiver are recorded at SEG 032–SEG 033; the special exception request and approval for 150 Lulaville Road are recorded at SEG 017 and SEG 034; the tax commissioner’s report is at SEG 021.
County Manager Michael Dinnerman told the commission that Hal Wiley organizes an annual rodeo that donates all proceeds to local law enforcement. Wiley had moved the event’s date after complaints it fell on Mother’s Day weekend and the promoter asked for more money; the original venue at Paulk Park was rented to another party, so the event is proposed to be held at 221 Gettysburg Road. Dinnerman said event preparations were in place. Vice-Chair Hope Harmon moved to waive the $25 application fee and the $100 special event fee and to approve the permit; Commissioner Daniel Cowan seconded and the motion passed 5-0.
On zoning, Building and Zoning Administrator Jacob Hughes reported that James Ussery requested a special exception to open a gunsmith business on his grandmother’s property at 150 Lulaville Road, a parcel zoned general farming. Hughes said adjacent property owners were contacted and the request was posted on the property. Vice-Chair Harmon moved to approve the special exception; Commissioner John Mooney seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Tax Commissioner Barry Foster updated the commission that his office has sold 21 of 29 properties scheduled for sale and that a mobile sale is planned for the first Tuesday in May. He also reported the office now has new printers and computers.
Other routine actions recorded in the minutes included approval of the meeting agenda and the March 7, 2023 minutes, and a temporary suspension of the regular meeting to conduct the public hearing; all routine motions passed by unanimous votes. The meeting later entered an executive session for legal matters and then adjourned.
Provenance: The special event permit and fee waiver are recorded at SEG 032–SEG 033; the special exception request and approval for 150 Lulaville Road are recorded at SEG 017 and SEG 034; the tax commissioner’s report is at SEG 021.
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