10/5/26 Council Meeting

At the October 5, 2026 Morgan County Council meeting, the council adopted the 2027 budgets for Harrison Township Fire District, Monroe Township Fire District, and Morgan County. The county budget’s stated tax rate was 0.4803. The council also approved an EMS appropriation transfer to fund a 2027 ambulance purchase priced at $356,554; the transcript indicates the transfer would use surplus funds in service-related line items, including funds supported by a mobile integrated healthcare grant. No ambulance vendor selection was announced. The council approved Ordinance 2026-14 after waiving the second reading; the personnel handbook changes discussed included restrictions on pets in county buildings, with an exception for required animals, and fragrance plug-ins. It also approved advertising for a temporary, part-time clerical position of up to 28 hours weekly for an anticipated 12-week period, with a new budget line to be created and the position to return for further review.

AES representatives briefed the council on a planned 345-kV transmission line connecting future substations near Monrovia and Eagle Valley. AES selected Route A after public and stakeholder input, expects construction from fall 2028 through fall 2029, and anticipates negotiating easements covering about 240 acres; no county contract or spending decision was made on the project. The council received updates on the Title VI implementation plan and discussed accessible parking and county EV charging-station access, with staff agreeing to investigate options.