MORGANTOWN — The Monongalia County Commission is not planning to close down the county courthouse at this time due to the COVID-19 virus.
Commission President Ed Hawkins explained it may not have the authority to do so without Governor Jim Justice mandating such action specifically through an emergency declaration.
“You have to keep in mind, the commission doesn’t dictate the policies of the individual elected officials. So closing, we couldn’t really do that, I don’t think, unless there was a state of emergency that was issued,” Hawkins said.
Even so, many of the offices located therein are already closed to walk-in business, including the county clerk, assessor and tax offices. Each is conducting business over the phone, online and through the mail.
Further, Hawkins said the commission spoke with elected officials Wednesday afternoon to request uniformity in how the various offices are handling employees who stay home in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He stressed that the call was simply to pass along the commission’s recommendation, reiterating, “Our authority is solely in the power of the county commission to give office holders the money to run their offices. After that, we have no distinct authority over the office holders.”
Per the understanding with office holders, Hawkins said county employees who are sent home sick or required to stay home will be granted administrative leave — essentially paid time off that will not eat into accrued sick hours or vacation time.
“Everybody will be kept whole during this time of this specific incident,” he said. “This is rather unique that we have this type of situation facing us.”
The temporary policy will affect employees in both the courthouse and Monongalia County Justice Center.
In other county news, MECCA 911 Executive Director Jimmy Smith said law enforcement agencies and first responders county-wide are altering policies and stepping back responses to non-emergency incidents in an attempt to limit exposure to respiratory illnesses.
“The example I give, if you call 911 and you’re reporting your child’s bicycle has been stolen, you may not see a police officer come to your house,” Smith said. “They will instead call you.”
This also means non-emergency access to department facilities will also be restricted and various administrative tasks, like requests for reports, will be handled over the phone.
For example, the sheriff’s department has temporarily suspended fingerprinting for the general public as well as the processing of new concealed carry applications.
As for EMS, Smith said they will continue to respond to all calls, though those calling 911 will be asked to provide additional information, including recent travel history and whether anyone is exhibiting flu-like symptoms.
“It’s all meeting the CDC requirements,” Smith said. “This way, the information can be passed on to first responders coming out to your house.”
Lastly, County Director of Planning Andrew Gast-Bray said the county’s draft subdivision ordinance should be posted on the county’s website — monongaliacounty.gov — by Friday.
“We should have a redline of all the changes that have occurred since August available on Monday, but we’re checking that so it takes a little more time,” he said.
