Departments2

Georgia Rimes, 911 Director

E-911 is responsible for answering both emergency and non-emergency calls for service. The Communications Officer assigned to this area also dispatch Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Units. Due to the nature of the job, the center is in operation 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.

Understanding 911

How To Use 911

Cell Phone Dialing

Frequently Asked Questions

911 Don’ts

Sign Up for Code Red Alerts

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Contact Information

Elections
Cindi Dunlap, Elections Supervisor & Chief Registrar

May 21, 2024 Elections Notices

Daily Voting Summary

The Board of Elections provides the following services for Ben Hill County Residents

The Board of Elections registers all eligible citizens to vote, provides free voter IDs, and maintains districting maps for Ben Hill County and the City of Fitzgerald. We also conduct all Federal, State, and County-wide elections, maintain election results and uphold election laws regarding registration and voting.

To register to vote you must:

  • Be a citizen of the United States
  • Be a legal resident of the Ben Hill County
  • Be at least 17 1/2 years of age to register and 18 years of age to vote
  • Not be serving a sentence for conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude
  • Have not been found mentally incompetent by a judge

Any registered VOTER with questions regarding their provisional ballots may contact your local elections office. You may also contact the Georgia Secretary of State's Office at 1-844-537-5375.

You can access Election forms here: Election Forms

Online Voter Registration

How-to Guide: Registering to Vote

To Check Your Provisional status:

Email: Elections@benhillcounty-ga.gov

Fax Number is (229)-922-0314

Toll Free Number is (888) 423-0314

The Ben Hill County Board of Elections will hold their monthly meetings at 10:00 am every 2nd Tuesday of the Month until further notice. The meeting will be held at:
602 S. Grant Street
Fitzgerald, GA 31750
Need to get in touch with someone in the Election's office?

Contact Information Here

EMA

Jake Hughes, EMA Director

The Ben Hill County EMA's purpose is to increase the resiliency and its ability to respond and recover from the hazards that threaten our community. This is done through mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery, which is a combined effort with EMS, E-911, Police and Sheriff's Departments, Fire Department, and the Volunteer Fire Department.

What is Emergency Management?

The Emergency Management network is a combination of your local, state, and federal governments working together in partnership with local volunteers and businesses, to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from all hazards that affect a jurisdiction. The Ben Hill County Emergency Management Agency is the local agency with the responsibility for coordination and mitigation, preparedness, and response and recovery efforts to protect the lives and property of the citizens of Ben Hill County. Many natural hazards may impact the communities in Ben Hill County.

These include tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, lightning, floods, winter storms, and wildfires. These are dangerous and often unpredictable events. It is very important that citizens know the safety precautions to take before an emergency and what actions to take during an emergency, whether natural or caused by man. In addition to the many natural hazards that may impact the county, other man-made and technological hazards pose an equal, if not greater, threat to the citizens.

Personal Accident Report

Sign Up for Code Red Alerts

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Contact Information

What is UGA Extension?

We deliver lifelong learning across the state through science-based programs in agriculture and the environment, family well-being and 4-H youth development.  We are a collaborative between Georgia county governments, the USDA and the University of Georgia's colleges of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences and Family & Consumer Sciences.

The Ben Hill County Cooperative Extension Office extends lifelong learning to Georgia citizens through unbiased, research-based education.

Some of our services include:

  • Soil Tests & Water Tests
  • Researched-Based Advice for Production Crops
  • 4-H Summer Camps
  • 4-H Competitive Events

 

Need to get in touch with someone in the Extension Service's office?

Contact Information

Chris Naylor, RN- County Nurse Manager

The Ben Hill County Health Department serves the entire population in the county. Our services are available to everyone regardless of age, race, religion, national origin, political belief, disability or sex. We charge only minimal fees for our services, and some services have adjusted fee scales based on ability to pay. Health care services will be provided even if someone is unable to pay. Medicaid and Medicare are also accepted forms of payment.

Provided Services

Our services are available to everyone, regardless of age, race, religion, national origin, political belief, disability, or sex. We charge only minimal fees for our services, and some services have adjusted fee scales based on ability to pay. Health care services will be provided even if someone is unable to pay. Medicaid and Medicare are also accepted forms of payment for covered services.

Environmental Services

Through this service inspections are provided to insure the safety of septic tanks, well water, restaurants, tourist facilities and public swimming pools.

Health Education

Ben Hill County Health Department strives to educate the people of our community with information regarding health. These services are available to individuals, community groups, churches and schools. Information is delivered by nurses, nutritionists, health educators and other qualified staff members.

Family Planning Services

Assists families in planning their pregnancies by providing education, physical exams, lab work and contraceptives. This program is eligible to all women of reproductive age and fees are based on income.

General Nursing

Immunizations, blood tests, hearing, vision, and dental screenings, tuberculosis screenings, cancer screenings, blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, head lice checks and pregnancy tests are all available through General Nursing.

Immunizations

Immunizations are available for all ages with an emphasis on infants up to three years of age. At your request, the Ben Hill County Health Department will also provide adult flu shots and pneumonia vaccines on-site at your business.

Infectious Disease Program

Follow-up is provided for individuals who had a communicable disease such as tuberculosis, meningitis, hepatitis or others. Contact investigation is included.

School Health

Ben Hill County Health Department provides technical assistance to the school health nurse to provide health care to children in the schools’ clinics on an as needed basis. School health services also include scoliosis screening, immunizations and hearing and vision testing.

Sexually Transmitted Disease

If an individual suspects that he or she has a sexually transmitted disease, physical exams, lab tests, treatment and follow-up is provided through the STD program. Counseling and testing for persons who are at risk for contracting the HIV virus is also available. Follow up services are available to persons with HIV/AIDS upon request. Ben Hill County shares a Communicable Disease Specialist with other counties and these services are available as needed.

Sickle Cell Screening and Counseling

This program serves ages birth to 21 years with medical screening and education about sickle cell disease and other abnormal blood disorders. Contact your physician or the Ben Hill County Health Department for a referral.

Community Health Planning

A service that provides health data for the purpose of analyzing each local community’s strengths and future health needs.

Prenatal Planner

Tracks trends in maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, working with the community to address the problem.

Travel Immunizations

Travelers of all ages can receive immunizations and health care information based on the latest CDC recommendations through the Lowndes County Health Department. LCHD is an approved Yellow Fever Vaccination site.

Sweet Dreams

Sweet Dreams provides diabetes education and services to adult type 2 diabetics with a special focus on high risk groups including African Americans and Hispanics. Services provided include self management education classes, individual and group nutrition counseling, and medication and diabetic testing supply assistance.

Breast & Cervical Cancer Program

Provides education and screening for breast and cervical cancer in women aged 40 – 64, including diagnostic follow up if indicated at no cost to eligible women.

Children with Special Needs

A unit of programs working together to provide family-centered services to newborns through age 21 years who have or are at risk to develop medical conditions and/or significant developmental delays.

Health Check

Provides for the screening of lead, medical and/or developmental problems in children. Medicaid covers from infancy to the 21st birthday and PeachCare covers up to age 19.

Prenatal Programs

This program is composed of Prenatal Case Management (PCM), and Pregnancy Related Services (PRS). Helps pregnant women identify their needs for the delivery of a healthy baby and creates a plan to address those needs.

 

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Contact Information

Magistrate Court
The Honorable Lisa McCard, Chief Magistrate Judge

Order for In Person Proceedings During Pandemic

The Magistrate Court provides the following services for Ben Hill County:

  • Issue and conduct civil claims
  • Issue garnishments
  • Writs
  • Dispossessory
  • Foreclosures
  • Issue subpoenas
  • Issue post judgment interrogatories
  • Enforce county ordinances
  • Perform marriages
  • Issue search warrants
  • Issue civil judgments
  • Issue almost all criminal warrants
  • Setup pre-warrant application hearings
  • Issue bad check warrants (deposit account fraud)
  • Hold bond hearings (set the amount of bond)
  • Issue conditions orders on family violence warrants
  • Execute and accept written waivers of extradition
  • Can issue contempt orders
  • Issue bench warrants

The monetary limit of the Magistrate Court is $15,000.

Magistrate Court Forms

To Access eFile for Ben Hill County Magistrate Court Click Here

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Contact Information

Probate Court
The Honorable Melinda Marsh Stembridge, Probate Judge

The Probate Court provides the following services for Ben Hill County Residents

  • Probate of Wills and Related Matters
  • Appointment of Administrators and Related Matters
  • Appointment of Guardianships and Conservatorships for Incapacitated Adults
  • Appointment of Temporary Guardians for Minors
  • Issue Marriage Licenses and Perform Marriage Ceremonies
  • Issue Firearm Licenses
  • Issue Certified Copies of Death Certificates
  • Issue Certified Copies of Birth Certificates
  • Issue Certified Copies of Marriage Certificates
  • Handle Traffic Citations by the Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol
  • Handle Citations by the Department of Natural Resources and Department of Public Safety
  • Hold Court for Traffic and DNR Citations

Pay Your Citation Online

Search Probate Records

Weapons Carry Application

Probate Court Forms

Marriage Certificate

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Contact Information

Public Transit System
Ben Hill Transit

Public Notice

Current Transit System Description

Reasonable Accommodation Statement-English

Reasonable Accommodation Statement-Spanish

Ben Hill County ADA/Title VI Complaint Form-English and Spanish

The Ben Hill Transit System's current and long-term focus as a transportation provider is on maintaining the best coordinated transportation system possible for this community.  Our goal is to create a coordinated system with the objective of providing safe, reliable, timely and efficient transportation services to county residents; fully compliant with regulatory requirements; at a minimum cost to the County and its citizen.

  • The point-to-point service requires a 24-hour advance reservation; and a return trip can be reserved at the same time. Call 229-426-RIDE (7433) for reservations.
  • The cost for a one-way trip is $3.00 cash. Please try to have exact change. Credit or Debit cards are not accepted. The driver has a Passenger Log and records who rides the van when the fare is paid.
  • Ben Hill Transit System Vans carry 12 passengers and are equipped with a wheelchair lift. The service is curb to curb, and the van will wait no longer than 5-minutes if the passenger is not present.
  • Smoking, alcoholic beverages, or illegal drugs are not allowed on the vans. No eating, drinking or open food containers are allowed.
  • Adults must accompany children under 12, and children under 4 must be in a car seat. All passengers must be seated and wear seat belts while the van is in operation.

The Ben Hill Transit System also provides contract shuttle service to and from Senior Centers, nursing homes, health care facilities, hospitals, and doctor’s offices; as well as for shopping and excursions. Businesses interested in providing contract shuttle service for their employees going to and from their workplace should call (229) 732-2291. Purchase of service contracts are negotiated on an individual basis.

Questions:

Michael Dinnerman, Ben Hill County Manager, (229) 426-5100
Michael Erwin, RMS General Manager, (229) 732-2291

The Ben Hill County Transit System's current and long-term focus as a transportation provider is on maintaining the best-coordinated transportation system possible for this community. Our goal is to create a coordinated system with the objective of providing safe, reliable, timely and efficient transportation services to county residents; fully compliant with regulatory requirements; at the minimum cost to the County and its citizens.

The Ben Hill Transit System operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, and national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Any person who believes she or he has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with The Ben Hill Transit System.

For more information on The Ben Hill Transit System’s civil rights program, and the procedures to file a complaint, contact:

(229) 426-5100
(TTY 866-694-5824)

Or visit our administrative office at:

402-A East Pine Street
Fitzgerald, GA 31750

If information is needed in another language, contact (229) 426-5100.

You may also file your complaint directly with the FTA at:

Federal Transit Administration Office of Civil Rights
Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator
East Building,5th Floor - TCR
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20590

La sistema de tránsito de Ben Hill opera sus programas y servicios, sin distinción de raza, color y origen nacional, de conformidad con el Título VI del Acta de Derechos Civiles. Cualquier persona que cree que él o ella ha sido agraviada por cualquier práctica discriminatoria ilegal bajo el Título VI, puede presentar una queja con el sistema de transporte Ben Hill.

Para obtener más información sobre la programa de derechos civiles de La sistema de tránsito de Ben Hill, y los procedimientos para presentar una queja, contacte a:

(229) 426-5100
(TTY 866-694-5824)

O visite nuestra oficina administrativa en:

402-A East Pine Street
Fitzgerald, GA 31750

Si se necesita información en otro idioma, el contacto (229) 426-5100.

También puede presentar su queja directamente con el FTA en:

Oficina Federal de Administración de Tránsito de Derechos Civiles
Atención: Coordinador de Programa del Título VI,
East Building,5th Floor - TCR
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20590

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Contact Information

Road Department
Tim Kegebein, Road Superintendent
Darryl Davis, Office Manager & Safety Coordinator

The Road Department provides the following services for Ben Hill County Residents

  • Maintain county roads: paving, patching, scraping, sanding and bridge repair.
  • Maintain county right of ways: mowing, cut bushes, clearing and ditching.
  • Install: driveways, cross drains, haul dirt for driveways & collect payments for driveways
  • Unstop pipes and drains
  • Remove storm debris
  • Create and maintain road signs
  • Maintain county vehicles and equipment

Remember to use caution at Rail Road Crossings / STOPLOOK & LISTEN! Always slow down & use head lights when rain & fog is present, vehicles can hydroplane when water is on the road.

Dirt roads should be traveled with caution because of washouts and slick conditions at a speed of no more than 35 mph or less when conditions are bad. Traffic should always slow down and use caution when Road Department Employees and equipment are on the road for paved and dirt roads alike.

 

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Contact Information

Senior Citizen Center
Cathy Posey, Senior Center Director

The Senior Citizen's Center provides the following services to Ben Hill County Residents

  • Coordinate and provide senior activities and services
  • Host meetings of AARP, Retired Teachers, Garden Clubs, Bridge Groups, Class Reunions, Senior Singles Dance
  • Periodic health screenings
  • Hearing Aid Services
  • Health fairs

Activities offered at the Senior Citizen's center include:

  • Quilting
  • Bingo
  • Fish Fries
  • Bridge Classes
  • Computers and the Internet

 

Need to get in touch with someone in the Senior Citizen Center's office?

Contact Information