Amid mounting concerns and hourly changes, Union County agencies urge residents to do as much of their county business online or by phone as possible.
Union County Board of Supervisors met with several department heads to discuss the response to COVID19 during its regular meeting Tuesday at the Union County Courthouse, Responses discussed in the meeting gave way to an eventual decision to close to the public.
Tuesday afternoon, the supervisors issued this press release:
Effective Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 8:00 AM and until further notice, Union County has elected to close their offices to the public to limit the spread of COVID-19. The goal is to protect the citizens and employees of Union County from further spread of this virus. Our employees will continue to work to perform essential county services. The State Clerk of Court offices are still open to the public. Please contact the appropriate Department by phone if you have questions regarding services.
“The information was coming in quite quickly about the ... concern of the public,” Supervisor chair Rick Friday said Wednesday morning. “We made that decision as a group —all the elected officials with Sandy (Hysell, county auditor, who is out of state) on conference call. We monitored other counties around us and we made the decision to close for appointments only ... Later we opted to close to the public to protect the public and our employees.”
Union County Attorney Tim Kenyon advised those with scheduled court business to call their personal attorney to see if the schedule has been changed. All court matters for Thursday and Friday will be rescheduled.
“Things with court system are changing minute by minute,” he said. “The majority of court matters are probably going to be rescheduled.”
Kenyon said he has been getting information from the supreme court as it changes.
Anyone with questions about court matters should call the clerk of court at 641-782-7315
Union County Secondary Roads will close to the public but continuing normal operations, county engineer Zach Gunsolley said Wednesday morning.
The county officials elected not to change tax due dates at this time, but said there are still options for residents to pay their taxes without needing to come to the courthouse. Taxes may be paid at https://www.iowatreasurers.org/ or mailed to Union County Treasurer's Office, 300 N. Pine St., Creston, Iowa 50801.
Residents who need help navigating the online system may call the treasurer’s office at 641-782-1710.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds suspended the regulatory provisions requiring renewal of driver’s licences and vehicle registrations for the duration of the state disaster proclamation issued Tuesday. Residents whose licenses or registrations have or will expire 60 days prior to the proclamation will have until 60 days after the expiration of the proclamation to renew.
Currently the public health emergency declaration is set to expire March 31.
Recommendations
Union County Emergency Management Coordinator Jo Duckworth recommended that the public be vigilant in the “three Cs.”
“Cover your coughs. Clean your hands frequently. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces,” she said. “Don’t forget things like doorknobs, hand rails, water faucets, taps, those sorts of things.”
Duckworth also suggested wearing gloves to open mail, saying there was no way to be sure that the sender used a safe method to seal the envelope.
Social distancing and self-isolation have been listed as the keys to slowing the spread of the virus.
“If you don’t have to be doing it, don’t,” Union County Attorney Tim Kenyon said.
Supervisor Ron Riley asked Kenyon if the supervisors had the right to require residents to stay home if they have been travelling.
“Until we get something definite in Union County, I don’t know that we can start this process yet,” Kenyon said.” I don’t think we have the authority at this point. I don’t think we have any basis yet.”
“If we would happen to have cases show up here (in Union County) I would probably ask for an emergency declaration from the board of supervisors ... and each of the cities,” Duckworth said.
(Editor’s note: this conversation took place before the governor’s public health disaster proclamation. All information is subject to change.)
Supervisor Rick Friday asked Duckworth if there were any county resources they should be focusing on.
“No, public health has activated their emergency operations planning,” Duckworth said. “We are very limited in masks. Of course, you know you can’t find hand sanitizer anywhere. ... Soap and water works perfectly fine.”
Shaun Lauer, building and grounds coordinator, asked if the emergency plan includes provisions for biological problems.
“There is an infectious disease plan,” Duckworth said.
Duckworth also recommended that residents check on elderly or medically fragile neighbors who may not be able to get out during this crisis. Neighbors can run errands and get supplies for them to help minimize their exposure.
Supervisor Dennis Brown called the recommendations by Duckworth, the governor and the president “common sense.”
“It’s got to become common place,” he said.
In other county business:
• a vote on change order of $156,000 for the emergency radio system due to the change in a tower site was postponed until supervisors can look at the overall project budget and determine if an overrun was figured into the original bond issue.
• a resolution was passed to apply for a grant to replace the non-functioning emergency siren on Dogwood. The cost to the county would be approximately $3,000.
• utility permits were approved for Minnow and Oriole avenues and REA Road.
The Union County Supervisors meet weekly 9 a.m. Monday at the Union County Courthouse, 300 N. Pine St.