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Government officials from both agencies seem to agree that future economic development of both Morgan City and Morgan County is best trusted in Matthew Godfrey’s hands.  

The Morgan County Council is voicing their opinions on development plans dubbed the Mountain Green Village.

Morgan County Council members are praising Morgan City’s efforts to hire an event coordinator for the annual 4th of July celebration at Riverside Park, but is stopping short of promising money toward the coordinator’s paycheck.

When Morgan City and Morgan County came together last week to discuss the future of the ambulance department, fire protection, recreation department and 4th of July celebration, the debate centered on the effectiveness of interlocal agreements as well as the moral and legal ramifications of those agreements.

Three residents have applied to fill the vacancy on the Morgan County Council representing District 5.  Jared Andersen, James Brown, and Austin Turner applied for the position left vacant after Councilman Don Mathews’ death.

Despite rumors, the county is not likely to add a municipal services fund line item to its general fund any time soon.

The interlocal agreement among the city, county, and school board that governs recreation programs in the county is in place, but on shaky ground.

After hiring a facilities director, the council unanimously voted to combine five departments and eliminate three supervisor positions.

In the middle of real estate negotiations with the Morgan County School District, Morgan County officials said they were wrongly cut off.

After a successful first year hosting a women’s biking event in Morgan County, Wildflower Pedalfest organizers donated proceeds to the county’s food bank and Sub for Santa funds with promises for additional donations in years to come.  However, talk of future biking events stirred some controversy in a recent Morgan County Council meeting.

The Morgan County Council has agreed to purchase the former bus garage on State Street from the Morgan County School District for an undisclosed amount to be paid over a three-year period.
The facility will be used as storage for various county equipment including sheriff department and emergency vehicles. Presently, a majority of such equipment, valued at several hundred thousand dollars, is stored outside and subject to weather deterioration.
Chairwoman Tina Kelley cast one of two opposing votes, saying the county had other financial priorities such as replacing a boiler for the county building.

Matthew Godfrey, Morgan City’s economic development consultant, is “very confident” he has found a developer who wants to build a hotel in the area.  However, Godfrey says a letter from the Morgan County Council supporting improvements along the banks of the Weber River near Como Springs and the county fairgrounds would go a long way in bringing a hotel project to fruition.

Although subdivisions developers are still required to improve infrastructure along existing county streets, small subdivision developers may catch a break with a recent code amendment. 

By asking their human resource consultant to write up a job description, the Morgan County Council is moving ahead with creating a county facilities manager to oversee three departments.  The new job description will help the council settle on a salary range in the future.

The community is mourning the loss of a long-time Morgan City Councilman when Lynn Mickelsen succumbed to stage four pancreatic cancer and related complications May 15, 2012. 

According to Morgan County’s new employee handbook, hourly employees cannot be forced to volunteer.  Councilman Robert Kilmer questioned if this could mean that supervisors should not ask their employees to volunteer at the annual county fair.

The Morgan Board of Education is working closely with city and county officials in a combined effort to construct a bridge at the south end of Young Street.  During their monthly meeting held on October 12, the Board discussed options for the exact location of the bridge and how that design might influence the location of the new bus facility. Joining the Board in the discussion were Mayor Jim Egbert, County Council Chairman Sid Creager, and City Councilman Jeff Wardell.