By GARETT VALCOURT
During a recent meeting of the Holmes County Board of County Commissioners, Building Official Keith Bennett raised concerns about ongoing code violations related to the misuse of electrical power pole permits throughout the county.
Bennett cited an increasing number of incidents in which individuals obtain permits for 200-amp “miscellaneous power poles” without providing clear information regarding their intended use. According to Bennett, the vague classification is frequently being used as a loophole to bypass standard permitting procedures required for new construction or mobile home installations.
“We issue permits for 200-amp miscellaneous power poles with no further explanation,” Bennett told the board. “This often leads to someone building a house without a permit or placing a mobile home without the required approval. We’ve documented multiple instances of this.”
He went on to describe a particularly concerning trend in which residents allegedly split a single 200-amp power pole into multiple 50-amp lines, connecting them to several mobile homes…again, without acquiring the necessary permits.
Bennett clarified that he is not proposing to eliminate the use of miscellaneous power poles entirely. Instead, he recommended implementing a clearer designation system, as used in other jurisdictions. “Many areas permit a 60-amp power pole rather than a 200-amp, but it must be wired according to its intended use,” he explained.
The proposed change, Bennett said, is aimed at reducing unpermitted residential structures while maintaining access to power for legitimate uses.
Commissioner Brandon Newsom requested that Bennett submit a formal plan outlining the specific revisions he would like to see. The board agreed to table the matter until its next regular meeting, pending receipt of Bennett’s proposal.
The issue remains under review.
