Ben Hill County commissioners ratify ARPA architect, appoint health‑board members and approve multiple policy updates

Fitzgerald, Ga. — The Ben Hill County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 3 unanimously approved a package of administrative actions, including appointments to the county Board of Health, the ratification of an architect for an ARPA‑funded Monitor Center project, and multiple policy updates from the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC).

Chairman Steve Taylor opened the meeting at the Ben Hill County Courthouse Annex. Commissioner John Mooney moved to approve the agenda as amended to include a Georgia Military Veteran’s Hall of Fame proclamation; Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon seconded and the motion carried with all five commissioners voting in favor.

The commission reappointed Thelma Graham and 'Health Parrish' and appointed Lisa Smith to the Ben Hill County Board of Health after a motion by Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon and a second from Commissioner John Mooney. The commission also ratified the previously held scoring for the county's ARPA INODIC‑Monitor Center Project and named Rickets & Associates as the project's architect.

Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon introduced and the commission approved a set of GCIC policy updates: the Non‑Criminal Justice Disciplinary Policy, Media Protection Policy, Non‑Criminal Justice Man‑Made/Natural Disaster Policy, Non‑Criminal Applicant Privacy Rights Notification Policy, and a Privacy Rights Acknowledgement Statement. Each motion passed unanimously after a second by Commissioner Bennie Calloway.

Other formal actions included approval of a memorandum of understanding to provide fingerprinting services; a surplus resolution authorizing disposition of a firearm belonging to Doug Justice; and an amendment to the county’s legal services agreement related to attorneys' fees in the county's opioid litigation. Commissioner Daniel Cowan moved the surplus resolution; Vice‑Chair Harmon seconded. Vice‑Chair Harmon moved the amendment to the legal services agreement; Commissioner John Mooney seconded; both motions passed.

Commissioner Daniel Cowan moved and the board adopted a resolution urging the governor and the Georgia General Assembly to continue reforms and improvements to mental‑health services for state residents. Cowan also moved the proclamation naming Nov. 4, 2023, as Georgia Military Veterans' Hall of Fame, Inc. Day; that proclamation was approved unanimously.

County Manager Michael Dinnerman reported on several facility and project items, noting that work on a new commissioners' meeting room and a 4‑H office is nearly complete. Commissioner Bennie Calloway described the new meeting room and 4‑H office as “exceptional” and said he expects the building will be one the county can be proud of. Dinnerman said staff are negotiating an encroachment issue with Southern Telecom related to Ed Ward Road, had a roof inspection at the Monitor building, and are working on the FY2024 budget.

Library Manager Leslie Paul presented a fiscal‑year 2023 snapshot of activity at the Fitzgerald‑Ben Hill County Library. Representatives from the University of Georgia Extension Office — Laura Lee Williams joined by Lauren Wixsen and Ashley Braddy — told the board that Oct. 1–7 is National 4‑H Week; the commission signed a proclamation recognizing the week locally.

During public comment, resident Claretha Moore of 106 Railroad Avenue said people have been leaving stray dogs in her neighborhood, that animal control promised to return with cages to trap a dog but did not, and that the dog has damaged her vehicle. Moore asked the commission for guidance and assistance; no formal action was recorded in the minutes on her complaint.

Vice‑Chair Harmon reported a legislative visit: Adrian Rivers, a representative from U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock's office, toured county projects with commissioners to identify projects for potential federal funding. The commission entered executive session later in the meeting; the minutes do not provide details of that session. The meeting was adjourned.

Votes at a glance: all recorded motions in the minutes were approved unanimously by Chairman Steve Taylor, Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon, Commissioner John Mooney, Commissioner Daniel Cowan and Commissioner Bennie Calloway.