With Johnson County still awaiting its peak of COVID-19 infections, the Johnson County Board of Commissioners on Monday voted unanimously to delay reopening county buildings until April 21.
The new date matches up with the state’s stay-at-home order, which is currently set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on April 20.
The commissioners asked what impact the buildings being closed is having on collection of property taxes.
Johnson County Treasurer Michele Ann Graves said her team is taking a lot of internet and phone payments. If the county reopened its buildings, about 200 people would come into the office every day, a majority of those being seniors, the most at-risk population during the coronavirus pandemic, she said.
“My concern would be that we would basically make this building a Petri dish,” Graves said. “We will not be able to clean fast enough between taxpayers.”
Johnson County Health Officer Dr. Craig Moorman also advised against reopening. He said county employees and the public should continue to practice social distancing.
“We can’t let down our guard yet,” he said.
When the governor and commissioners do decide to resume business as usual, Moorman advises using practices similar to big-box retailers, where the number of people allowed in the building is limited and markers are placed on the floor to encourage six-foot distances between those waiting in lines.
“Even after we start to feel comfortable enough to open back up, social distancing is going to last a while,” Moorman said. “We will not be having large gatherings, hugs or handshakes for quite a while.”
The commissioners did not discuss the possibility of a county-wide stay-at-home order which, so far, they have not been able to agree on.
The commissioners also voted unanimously to cover all costs associated with COVID-19 testing and doctor’s office visits through April 11, 2021.
This means that county employees will not have to pay their usual co-pay if they see a doctor or have to get a COVID-19 test, said county attorney Shena Johnson. All COVID-19 care after the initial visit and test would be subject to the employee’s usual benefits, she said.
The commissioners acted under their emergency powers to discuss the insurance matter over email between meetings. They talked about it publicly before ratifying their decision, Johnson said.
