Ben Hill County declares AS 400 surplus and authorizes cable franchise fee up to 5%

Ben Hill County Commissioners voted on July 11, 2023 to declare county equipment surplus and to authorize a franchise fee for cable and video providers in the county's unincorporated areas.

Commissioner Daniel Cowan moved to declare the AS 400 with serial number 100029042 surplus and deem it of no further use or value to the Ben Hill County Tax Commissioner; Vice-Chair Hope Harmon seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The minutes record the equipment serial number but do not provide a disposal plan or expected proceeds.

Later in the meeting, Vice-Chair Hope Harmon moved to approve a resolution authorizing Ben Hill County to collect a franchise fee at a rate up to 5% of each cable or video service provider’s gross revenue generated within the unincorporated areas of the county, or the maximum amount established by federal and state law; Commissioner Bennie Calloway seconded, and the motion passed with all five commissioners voting yes. The resolution authorizes county collection of the fee but the minutes do not list projected revenues or an implementation timeline.

Both motions were recorded as passed unanimously; the public minutes do not record any dissent, amendments, or follow-up reporting requirements for either item.