Morgan County Keeps Tax Levy Steady, Captures Solar Growth
The Morgan County Board of Commissioners unanimously set the county tax levy for fiscal year 2026 at 4.75 percent, the same rate as the prior year. Commissioners said the unchanged levy is intended to capture $22 million in new growth, mostly from local solar power projects, a development that will shape county revenues and planning.
On Monday, December 22, 2025, the Morgan County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to set the county tax levy for fiscal year 2026 at 4.75 percent, matching the rate applied for fiscal year 2025. Board Chair Michael Wankel said the levy holding at 4.75 percent was necessary to capture "$22 million in new growth" in the county, the vast majority of which comes from solar power projects throughout the area.
Keeping the levy rate unchanged means the county will seek to increase revenue through expanding the tax base rather than raising rates. That approach reflects a broader shift in Morgan County where new construction and energy development are driving assessed value increases. For residents, the immediate effect is clear. Homeowners and property taxpayers will not face a higher levy percentage, though actual bills could still change if individual property assessments rise or if new projects add taxable value in the coming year.
Commissioners also set a flat levy of $3,000 for Marnico Village outside of Jacksonville, the same amount levied in the previous fiscal year. That decision preserves the existing funding arrangement for the village as county officials finalize budgets tied to the county fiscal calendar, which runs from September 1 through August 31.
The influx of solar power projects as a source of new growth ties local budget choices to regional and national energy trends. Revenue from expanding solar installations can provide funds for public services and infrastructure without increasing tax rates, but it also requires county planners to account for changing land use and long term maintenance obligations. For Morgan County residents, the commissioners decision emphasizes stability in tax rates while signaling an expectation that development will underwrite near term revenue needs.
County officials will incorporate the new growth figures into next year s budget planning as departments prepare expense projections for the September through August fiscal cycle.
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