The Carroll County Supervisors had originally outlined a tentative opening date for the courthouse on Monday, June 1. However, at today’s (Tuesday’s) meeting, they opted to introduce some limitations and regulations on that opening. The result is that all departments with the exception of the Auditor’s Office will open on June 1—but this will strictly be by appointment only. The Auditor’s Office will open on June 3, following the Primary election. Auditor, Kourtney Irlbeck, explains why she wanted that delay for her department.
Irlbeck says now that the mail-in date for absentee ballots has passed, they have been getting some traffic at the walk up window to her office on the north side of the courthouse. She adds it has actually been working very well for people to come to that window for assistance with voting. Next Tuesday, voters will have to report to their polling location to cast their ballots. Chair, Rich Ruggles, says he does think this would also give them the time to figure out where issues may lie and address them before a full-scale opening. Supervisors anticipate the Carroll County Treasurer’s Office will be seeing the brunt of activity, but appointments will have to be scheduled in such a way as to limit occupancy so distancing can be assured. The majority of traffic will likely be for driver’s licenses, and Ruggles says Treasurer, Jean Seidl, has said she wants to bring back some services more slowly.
This will also allow the office to thin some of the requests for service. Anyone coming into the building will be required to wear a mask, none will be provided. Supervisors are also requesting that the pre-screening questions be asked and temperatures taken before those with appointments will be allowed entry. Access to the public restrooms may be limited as well in the interest of safety for their staff. Anyone with questions or wishing to set up an appointment should call the appropriate department. A link to the Carroll County website containing all of these numbers can be found below.
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Carroll County website department listings: https://carrollcountyiowa.org/pview.aspx?id=20947&catid=563