Lake County Commission discusses county’s COVID-19 outbreak response plan

The Lake County Commission discussed the county’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak during its meeting on Tuesday.  Commissioners met in the commission room Tuesday in the Lake County Courthouse, with seating spaced out accordingly and the number of people allowed in the room at one time limited in order to follow CDC guidelines.  Three commissioners wore masks during Tuesday’s meeting to further safeguard themselves. Commission Administrative Officer Shelli Gust asked commissioners for their recommendations on how meetings should proceed going forward. 

Gust said that the county’s Planning Commission is not holding its meeting this week, but she is working with Zoning Officer Mandi Anderson on a plan for future meetings.  The county commission’s next meeting is next Tuesday, April 14th, when commissioners meet as a Board of Equalization to consider property valuation appeals. As of now, commissioners are planning to hold that meeting in the commission room with the same set up as Tuesday’s meeting, and those presenting appeals will either appear one at a time or over the phone for the meeting.  Gust said that commissioners have the option also of meeting in the courtroom in the courthouse, but she said that there are more court dates being scheduled also in order to limit the number of people present for those at one time. Since information and restrictions regarding the coronavirus outbreak change often, Gust asked that commissioners stay in touch with her as to what accommodations they are comfortable with.  

Commissioners on Tuesday ratified the county’s plan for the continuity of it’s operations that had been amended and released on March 24th without making any changes in it at this time.  Gust said the courthouse doors remain open, but the doors to individual offices are locked and those who need to do business in person with an office need to make an appointment. Otherwise, business can be handled by phone, e-mail, or online.  They also approved the county’s Families First Coronavirus Response Act temporary leave policy that was effective April 1st. Gust said the county’s policy is based off of the Act that was recently passed by Congress and contains two primary employment provisions – the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act.  She said that the county currently has four employees who are utilizing the leave policy at this time.  

Information on the county’s COVID-19 response plans can be found on its website.