The Morgan County Commission on Dec. 17 authorized actions to advance several community and facilities projects, including a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant application for a 16‑acre recreation site, the selection process for trailhead engineering, and exploratory steps for rooftop solar at the Morgan Wellness Center.

For the recreation site, staff reported a concept plan for multi‑use fields, a pedestrian path and improved parking to reduce roadside parking hazards near existing Little League fields. Commissioners voted to approve a local match and authorized the president to sign required documents for the grant application. Meeting participants discussed using hotel‑motel tax as a potential match source and the need to complete permitting and design work.

On the trailhead project, the commission established or amended a scoring committee to evaluate engineering RFQs; commissioners agreed to add a member (Pete) to the scoring team and to move forward with interviews of the top‑ranked firms under standard procurement rules.

Officials also heard a presentation from a representative of the Morgan Wellness Center and a solar contractor (Matt), who outlined a phased approach to rooftop solar, potential grants (including the Appalachian Solar Finance Fund technical assistance), and estimated payback periods in the roughly 8–10 year range depending on incentives. Commissioners asked staff to prepare a draft RFP that would combine system evaluation, energy‑efficiency measures and a phased installation plan for review at the next meeting.

Why it matters: The recreation and trailhead projects would expand local park infrastructure and address safety and access issues; the solar/energy work aims to reduce long‑term operating costs for a county facility and leverages grants and phased procurement to limit upfront costs.

Next steps: Staff to finalize grant paperwork and match funding plan, combine RFQ scores and interview top engineering firms, and develop a draft RFP for solar and energy efficiency by next month.