Jones Co. declares state of emergency

     As of Monday, March 23, Governor Kim Reynolds announced an additional number of positive coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Iowa, bringing the total to 105. There have also been 2,043 negative cases throughout the state.

     There are a total of 26 counties in Iowa reporting positive cases; Jones County is not one of those cases. However, according to Jones County Public Health Coordinator Jenna Lovaas, a number of people have been tested in Jones County.

     The Jones County Supervisors and department heads met several times last week, aside from the two Board of Supervisor meetings held on March 17 and March 18. The board also declared a state of emergency, per the recommendations of Emergency Management and Public Health.

     The county also released information regarding access to the courthouse.

     “In an attempt to maintain continuity of operations and limit potential exposure to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Jones County Courthouse and all county facilities will be closed to public access beginning March 19 until further notice. County staff will remain available to assist the public and conduct county business via telephone and e-mail. Limited in-person appointments may continue to be available through all county departments, except the Treasurer’s Office. Any questions regarding court appearances should be directed to the Clerk of Court at 319-462-4341.

     “Customers should contact the respective office for assistance and the availability of in-person appointments, or may call the Auditor’s Office at 319-462-2282 and your call will be re-directed to the most appropriate office. All telephone calls regarding drivers’ license, motor vehicle registrations, and property taxes should be made directly to 319-462-3559. Calls regarding court matters should be made directly to 319-462-4341. Handicapped accessibility for persons with appointments, or a scheduled court appointment, will continue to be available through the west entrance to the courthouse.

     “A secure payment/document box is available at the west courthouse entrance for property tax payments, motor vehicle payments, and other paper filings from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

     “Persons who wish to file nomination papers should contact the Auditor’s Office at 319-462-2282 to accept those papers and assure compliance with the required filing deadlines. Persons wishing to view filed nomination papers should contact the Auditor’s Office.”

     Other county facilities will also be on the same schedule in terms of schedule appointments by the public.

     Emergency Management Coordinator Brenda Leonard informed the supervisors that the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management had asked all county EMAs to submit information regarding critical county employees in need of childcare. Leonard reported numbers for those with children under the age of 12. Those critical roles included: county, cities, healthcare, grocery stores, and first responders.

     “It is important that we keep the essential services running in the county and cities,” said Leonard.

     Supervisor Wayne Manternach mentioned that two counties in Iowa, as of last week, were banning county officials/employees from traveling outside of the county when working. He was not opposed to the idea.

     When it came to deciding how county offices would operate moving forward, all of the department heads said there was enough work to stay busy, even with appointment-only hours.

     “I’d like to work here if I can,” said County Recorder Sheri Jones. “We can’t close to recording.”

     It was also decided that the issuance of passports would be on hold for the time being.

     County Attorney Kristofer Lyons said in terms of court, things were still up in the air. Jury trials had been cancelled, and the need for in-person hearings has been diminished.

     “We have had limited contact with people coming in,” Lyons said of his office. “But as long as they’re sending judges out here, we’re working.”

     In terms of the Jones County Supervisor meetings, the meetings will be limited to in-person attendees; however, the public will have the option to view and participate in the meetings via the online program “Zoom.”

     County Auditor Janine Sulzner and the board discussed the possibility of moving the meetings to Monticello to use the city’s media center. For the time being, it was decided to see how things work at the courthouse with Zoom.

     It was discussed how county employees, whether full- or part-time, would be compensated for having to work from home if sick or due to childcare issues. The board approved allowing employees to use their sick days and vacation days first before taping into and banking additional days.

     Sulzner commented that she didn’t think the employees’ union would argue with the measure because it’s a greater benefit than the union employees have now.

     The board also approved allowing use of county resources (JETS) to assist with food deliveries to home-bound families and home-bound senior citizens. Leonard said this is in collaboration with HACAP.

     The board also granted Leonard use of courthouse SBA (Small Business Administration) assistance with local businesses.

     County Treasurer Amy Picray praised Leonard, Lovaas, Sheriff Greg Graver, and their staff/departments for their tireless work during this time.

     “Everybody is working hard,” she said. “I hear stories from other counties that can’t get cooperation from their boards of supervisors. I applaud the approach taken, and the family-first mentality.”