The Warren County Board of Supervisors and other appointed and elected county officials discussed developing plans to reopen county facilities in a conference call Thursday morning, but did not make any decisions.
Board President Jeff Holland said it’s not a question of if but when the offices reopen.
“We need to agree on this,” he said. “It’s going to be sooner rather than later.”
Holland went on to say that he would not be in favor of the supervisor’s office being opened unless the courthouse was opened as well. The current board resolution is set to expire at noon June 1.
Supervisors agreed to meet with the four elected officials whose offices are inside the courthouse to discuss the logistics of reopening. Those officials include the tax assessor, tax collector, chancery clerk and circuit clerk.
Sheriff Martin Pace made the board aware that with courts resuming activities, provisions need to be made to allow access to the courthouse. Pace added that the sheriff’s office and county jail will remain on lock-down for the protection of his staff and the inmates housed there
The idea of having a health care professional screen people entering the facility using temperature checks and visitor logs was also discussed without resolution.
Chancery Clerk Donna Hardy expressed her desire to see limited access to offices continue in some form.
“We are still providing services upon request and by appointment,” she said.
She stated that her concern was if one staff member got the virus or was exposed, it could cause her entire office to be shuttered.
Plexiglas barriers are being installed in offices where the public has access as a protection mechanism. Sanitation and cleaning procedures were discussed, and the consensus was to bring on an additional staff member to address just those needs.
Library director Katrina Stokes told the board that she is accepting curbside returns Tuesdays and Thursdays. She plans to meet with her board of directors next week to finalize plans for the upcoming summer months and hopes to be able to offer curb side pickup of books and other materials. Currently, returned materials are being segregated and quarantined for 14 days. She said there is a possibility she may need additional staff to accomplish her mission. Stokes said she would provide additional information next week.
County Extension Service Agent Sandy Havard said Mississippi State is targeting Aug. 1 as the date for normal resumption of services. Regular agri-business and livestock meetings are canceled until then, however; her office is providing services such soil testing and providing informational materials.
The Recreation Board has tabled discussions on further reopening of facilities until its next scheduled meeting June 16.
The Chamber of Commerce and Port Commission continue to function as normal, reported Pablo Diaz, president of the Vicksburg-Warren Economic Development Partnership, however the lobby of the Mission 66 office is closed to the public.
Supervisors are expected to discuss all these issues again Tuesday, May 26, during their work session, scheduled for 8:30 a.m. in the board room of the Warren County Courthouse.