Morgan County approves on‑call engineering contract; tables Dollar General access study for two weeks

Morgan County commissioners approved an on‑call professional services agreement with Pedica on March 2 to provide engineering and related design services while the county operates without an in‑house engineer.

"I'm Jessica Nicoloy. I'm the president and CEO of Pedica," Jessica Nicoloy told the board and described services including architecture, civil engineering, land surveying and construction inspection. The board approved the agreement by voice vote, 3–0.

Separately, Lock Mueller Group presented task order No. 1 to study access and feasibility for a proposed Dollar General site. Huck Lewis of Lock Mueller said the task order would evaluate entrance and access points near the planned store.

Several county staff and commissioners raised concerns that the proposed entrance may impact a homeowners association road and face drainage problems. A highway department representative said the department previously denied the requested access because the proposed entrance crossed HOA property and because of drainage concerns.

After debate and a request that planning staff (Laura) and highway staff confer, a commissioner moved to table the task order for two weeks so staff and the plan commission could provide additional information. The motion to table carried by voice vote; no work on the task order will proceed until the board reconsiders it.

The county’s use of on‑call consultants was discussed as a budgetary and operational necessity while the county seeks in‑house capacity. Commissioners said they expect future task orders to be returned with clearer planning and highway input before being charged to county funds.