The Carroll County Board of Supervisors held a special meeting this (Wednesday) afternoon to decide how staffing in their numerous departments will be handled during the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting was livestreamed through YouTube with several supervisors participating through technological means. The board began with an update from the county’s Emergency Management Coordinator, Sara Anderson. According to her, the situation has not changed much from when they met Monday, but rumors continue to be a problem. Anderson provided the supervisors some examples.
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The supervisors then opened discussion on potential staffing changes at the courthouse. Department heads were asked earlier this week to prepare a recommendation for the board regarding what they would need to operate during the public health disaster emergency. Treasurer, Jean Siedl, proposed a rotating schedule for her employees while others, like Recorder, Ashten Wittrock, said that would be difficult for her office with a staff of only three people. Because requirements and services vary so much from department to department, Neil Bock suggested the department heads be given the authority to make their own decisions on staffing changes.
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The board agreed with Bock’s suggestion and put forward a motion. Auditor, Kourtney Irlbeck, reread it to ensure the supervisors participating remotely had heard its language.
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The board approved the motion unanimously. County employees will not be required to work from home at this time, but supervisors are advising staff they should remain in their homes whenever possible in the event they are called back or need to be contacted. County buildings remains closed to the public, but officials are developing a plan for their eventual reopening. Carroll Broadcasting will bring you more on this in upcoming newscasts.