Ben Hill County adopts cell-tower agreement with Vertical Bridge for Astor Road site

Ben Hill County commissioners voted unanimously Nov. 7 to adopt a revised Communications Tower Agreement with Vertical Bridge VBTS, LLC for a communications tower at 556 Astor Road, allowing the county to use space on the tower for emergency services.

Building & Zoning Inspector Jacob (Jake) Hughes reminded the commission that the special exception for the tower had been approved at a prior meeting contingent on an executed agreement that would permit county emergency communications equipment on the structure. Hughes said Vertical Bridge proposed edits when the agreement was presented for signature; after review by the county attorney, the county manager and radio-tower professionals, the county accepted the revised contract.

"After reviewing the new contract with the County Attorney, County Manager, and other radio tower professionals the new contract was accepted by the Ben Hill County Building and Zoning Department," Hughes reported.

Commissioner John Mooney moved to adopt the revised agreement; Vice-Chair Hope Harmon seconded. The motion passed with all five commissioners recorded as voting yes.

The minutes do not list specific technical terms, lease payments, or timelines for equipment installation; they record only that the county accepted the edits and formally adopted the agreement. Any further contract details, tower construction schedules or equipment installation plans are not included in these public minutes and would appear in the executed agreement or subsequent project records.