New contract for deputies approved

By Gary Scott on January 11, 2016 at 1:05pm

Morgan County commissioners approved a union contract for sheriff’s deputies this morning.

The agreement is a three-year deal retroactive to September 1st of last year. It includes a two-percent raise and also signals the beginning of twelve-hour shifts for deputies.

Morgan County Sheriff Randy Duvendack called the contract “fair” this morning and said the twelve-hour shifts will be done on a trial basis. He says there will be a re-evaluation after six months.

County commissioners have yet to approve a contract for the union representing the jailers in the Morgan County Detention Facility, but Commissioner Brad Zeller says an agreement has been tentatively approved.

Commissioners also noted that a retraction has been put out regarding property tax assessments. Because of an error, the original notice put out in print publications in Jacksonville showed the deadline to be January 31st, 2015.

Property owners have until the end of this month to appeal their property assessments for 2015.

Commissioner Ginny Fanning said the Morgan County Animal Control Committee will be touring the Jacksonville Canine Camp tomorrow.