Fiscal court declares two road sections emergency, approves water-line crossing

Morgan County Fiscal Court declared two county road sections emergency repairs and authorized staff to apply for emergency road aid, and it approved a local water-line crossing request during its meeting.

Staff told the court that two road segments need urgent repairs: Railroad Fork (about 1.6 miles off Highway 191) and Dedmon Branch Road (about 1.12 miles from the mouth at Crockett Loop). Staff said bank slippage had created a risk of collapse and that school buses regularly use the routes. The court moved, seconded and approved a declaration of emergency so the county can apply for emergency road aid; staff noted the county typically sets aside 3% of county road aid for emergency repairs (staff estimated that 3% was a little over $42,000 for 2026).

Separately, a member requested permission to run a water service line across Old Burke Fannin Road. The committee member (speaker 5) moved to approve laying the water line with a soft cut by the county; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Participants discussed pipe sizes (1 inch and references to a 3/4-inch service) and that the county crew would perform the soft cut.

On equipment, staff presented an invoice from Boyd Cat for $53,861.80 to repair a grader engine and related systems. Commissioners questioned whether warranty coverage applied and asked the road foreman to contact the vendor. The court agreed to delay payment and table the greater repairs until warranty and performance questions are answered.

What happens next: Staff will submit emergency-aid applications for the declared segments, coordinate the permitted water-line crossing with county crews, and follow up with the vendor about the Boyd Cat invoice; no further votes on the Boyd Cat invoice were recorded.