Procedural changes at courthouse revealed during emergency meeting of fiscal court

Some temporary office hours have changed and other procedures are now in place at the Clinton County Courthouse as a result of the ongoing threat of the spread of the coronavirus.

Those announcements and/or decisions were made at an emergency meeting of the Clinton County Fiscal Court held Tuesday morning with all magistrates present, as well as elected officials at the courthouse and EMS Director Lucas Abner. Albany Mayor Lyle Pierce was also present and made an announcement pertaining to city hall and the water department.

Clinton County Judge/Executive Ricky Craig began the meeting by discussing several conference calls with state government and health officials and gave each official a chance to speak about the coronavirus situation and how it will affect their offices and the courthouse workings in general.

The judge noted that although commodity distributions were cancelled this week due to the virus, those items will be bagged this Saturday by fiscal court members and volunteers and next Tuesday, people can drive by and pick those up.

Craig noted that as of Tuesday’s meeting, 25 confirmed cases of the coronavirus had been diagnosed in Kentucky with one death. He also said one person diagnosed has now been released from quarantine.

Also, Wayne County has declared an emergency due to the virus.

County Attorney Michael Rains was first to address the court, noting the powers the judge and fiscal court had in declaring an emergency, with one of those situations being in the event of a widespread disease.

Apparently no cases have been confirmed in the county. However, only one person had been tested as of early this week and Rains noted that once testing becomes readily available, the numbers diagnosed would likely spike.

Rains also listed the options the judge and/or fiscal court has, which includes, among others, waiving the two-week legal advertisement period. In dire situations when it comes to civil or criminal situations, curfews could be imposed under an emergency declaration. But, “you can’t do anything contrary to any state regulations adopted,” he added.

Sheriff Jeff Vincent also noted the judge/executive has board powers in these types of situations and said he believed everyone at the meeting had the county’s best interest at heart. “Our office will do the best in our ability to enforce whatever is enacted (by the county),” he said.

Both Vincent and EMS Director Abner noted that law enforcement and emergency personnel were at high risk of possibly becoming infected due to the nature of their jobs and if any personnel from either department is diagnosed, it would leave a shortage in staff.

Sheriff Vincent also noted that the city and county officers should work together in case of a situation where the city had to handle county calls, or vice versa. I think we will get public support for whatever we decide to do, he added.

County Clerk Nathan Collins told the court that some 20 county clerk’s offices in the state had closed for public business, with the nearest being Russell and Pulaski counties and thinks it may be a “matter of time” before it is state mandated.

During the over hour long discussion, it was also noted that jail inmate transfers to other counties may soon cease during the coronavirus pandemic.

Circuit Clerk Jake Staton informed those present that the governor has shut down testing for three weeks and extended driver license renewal time from 30 to 90 days after a person’s birth date.

Staton said that Scott County had closed to the public, but were continuing business electronically and added, “we still have to have court cases heard.” However, all terms of district and circuit courts have been delayed until April.

It was also noted that a table had been set in front of the circuit clerk’s office doors to keep people from intermingling with staff and sheriff Vincent also noted people loitering in hallways during court sessions would not currently be allowed.

Jailer Tracey Thurman said no cases had been reported at the jail as of Sunday and precautions there were being taken.

Judge Craig said there are a lot of elderly people that need help, and everyone should extend their support for the elderly during this particular time since they are the most at risk people to contract the virus.

PVA (Property Valuation Administrator) Pat Campbell said he had just received an email pertaining to cancellation of in office government services.

Effective this Wednesday, March 18, the PVA office, although staffed, will be closed to the public but will work through phone, fax and email.

EMS Director Abner also said he had been in contact with the hospital and others and they may soon begin not allowing patient visitors. He also said the EMS was in the process of trying to get supplies, such as masks, adding the ambulance service still has to make out-of-county transports to other hospitals in the region.

Another program that will cease temporarily after this week is the renting of the Community Center to groups of people, and being vigilant at such areas as the Wellness Center was also discussed.

Mayor Lyle Pierce also said that beginning on Wednesday, city hall and the water department would be closed to the public with bills being allowed to be paid through the drop box outside. Staff at the buildings will still be working, however, he said.

Magistrate Mickey Riddle suggested closing one side of the courthouse and allowing only one entrance way on the south side (Cross Street) with persons entering the building to have their temperatures taken.

Anyone with a fever of 100 or over would not be allowed access. This was also to take effect on Wednesday and courthouse doors, instead of opening at 7:15 a.m. will not be unlocked until 8 a.m.

At one point Staton said that too much panic could be almost as bad as the virus itself and it was noted that people should remain cautious and if sick, stay inside.

Judge Craig concluded the discussion by saying, “We have a problem on our hands. Keep Clinton County in your prayers. We will make it through this.”

At the special meeting, the court also approved three fund cash transfers, all from the Occupational Fund, including: $20,000 to the jail checking account and $15,000 each to the general and ambulance checking account.

The next regular meeting of Clinton Fiscal Court is scheduled for this Thursday, March 19 at 5 p.m. in the upstairs courtroom of the courthouse and is open to the general public.