Ben Hill County commissioners approve Verizon tower exception, contracts and CDBG application

The Ben Hill County Board of Commissioners on June 6 approved a special exception to permit a Verizon cell tower at 556 Astor Road and signed off on several contracts and resolutions, including a municipal election contract for $35,582 and a resolution to apply for FY 2023 CDBG funds for Flint Road improvements.

Building & Zoning Administrator Jacob Hughes told the board that Vertical Bridge Developments, LLC applied for the special exception and that the Fitzgerald‑Ben Hill County Planning Commission approved the request on May 15, 2023. Hughes said the proposed tower "would be beneficial for Ben Hill County public safety, 911 communications, and the citizens in the community." Commissioner Daniel Cowan moved to approve the exception contingent on execution of a Communication Agreement between Vertical Bridge and the Ben Hill County Board of Commissioners; Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon seconded and the motion passed with Chairman Steve Taylor, Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon, Commissioner Daniel Cowan and Commissioner Bennie Calloway voting in favor.

County Manager Michael Dinnerman reported that Ameripro EMS is fully staffed. He also said Georgia Power submitted a proposal to move power lines estimated at $1.1 million and that staff is working with the county’s engineer to seek cost reductions. On employee benefits, Dinnerman said the 2023 employee health insurance premium will increase 2 percent, about $2.54 per month; the board approved renewing the Partners Benefit Group/Anthem plan with that rate change.

On licenses and contracts, the board approved an alcohol license for Family Dollar Stores of Georgia; the vote was 3–1, with Commissioner Bennie Calloway opposed and Commissioners Cowan, Harmon and Taylor in favor. The board also approved a municipal election contract for $35,582 and authorized the chairman to execute it, and ratified a resolution to submit an FY 2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for street paving and flood and drainage improvements on Flint Road.

Other items approved without extended discussion included a surplus resolution declaring a 2005 FR60 mobile home as no longer needed by the sheriff’s department; updates to the county’s technical ordinance; approval of the Public Defender’s FY 23–24 budget and contract (reported as unchanged from last year); and nominations of Daphne Williams and Michael Melton to the Hospital Authority Board. The board also added and approved a Media Center Building school contract and directed that a letter be sent to the superintendent and the county attorney requesting changes to the contract before final execution.

Votes at a glance
• Approve agenda (added Media Center Building School Contract): mover Bennie Calloway; second Hope Harmon; vote: Taylor, Harmon, Cowan, Calloway — yes; outcome: approved.
• Approve minutes (May 2, 2023): mover Hope Harmon; second Daniel Cowan; vote: Taylor, Harmon, Cowan, Calloway — yes; outcome: approved.
• Enter/close public hearing on special exception: mover Daniel Cowan; second Hope Harmon; vote: Taylor, Harmon, Cowan, Calloway — yes; outcome: approved/closed.
• Special exception — 556 Astor Road (Verizon tower), contingent on Communication Agreement: mover Daniel Cowan; second Hope Harmon; vote: Taylor, Harmon, Cowan, Calloway — yes; outcome: approved (contingent).
• Family Dollar alcohol application (beer/wine): mover Daniel Cowan; second Hope Harmon; vote: Cowan, Harmon, Taylor — yes; Calloway — no; outcome: approved.
• Technical ordinance update: mover Daniel Cowan; second Hope Harmon; vote: Taylor, Harmon, Cowan, Calloway — yes; outcome: approved.
• Surplus resolution (2005 FR60 mobile home): mover Daniel Cowan; second Hope Harmon; vote: Taylor, Harmon, Cowan, Calloway — yes; outcome: approved.
• Health insurance renewal (Partners Benefit Group/Anthem, 2% increase ≈ $2.54/mo): mover Daniel Cowan; second Bennie Calloway; vote: Taylor, Harmon, Cowan, Calloway — yes; outcome: approved.
• FY 2023 CDBG application (Flint Road paving, flood/drainage): mover Hope Harmon; second Daniel Cowan; vote: Taylor, Harmon, Cowan, Calloway — yes; outcome: ratified/submitted.
• Public Defender FY23–24 budget and contract: mover Hope Harmon; second Daniel Cowan; vote: Taylor, Harmon, Cowan, Calloway — yes; outcome: approved.
• Hospital Authority nominations (Daphne Williams, Michael Melton): mover Daniel Cowan; second Hope Harmon; vote: Taylor, Harmon, Cowan, Calloway — yes; outcome: submitted.
• Municipal election contract ($35,582.00): mover Hope Harmon; second Bennie Calloway; vote: Taylor, Harmon, Cowan, Calloway — yes; outcome: approved.
• Media Center Building School Contract (forward letter to superintendent/attorney for changes; authorize chairman to execute): mover Hope Harmon; second Bennie Calloway; vote: Taylor, Harmon, Cowan, Calloway — yes; outcome: approved (with requested contract changes).

What happens next
• The special exception for the Verizon tower is approved subject to the Communication Agreement being signed between Vertical Bridge Developments, LLC and Ben Hill County.
• The county will proceed with the FY 2023 CDBG application for Flint Road improvements; next steps will be determined by grant application timelines and notifications. The clerk recorded the approved minutes and the board adjourned.