Crawford County to close courthouse at noon Thursday; commissioners approve half-day for all county employees

Crawford County commissioners voted to close the courthouse at noon on Thursday and grant the afternoon off to county employees.

During the meeting, a commissioner said the county had received notice that the Judicial Center will close at noon on Thursday and that the motor vehicle office would close at the same time. Concerned about fairness for employees who share duties across buildings, the commission discussed whether staff should be required to take vacation time or be reassigned for the afternoon.

Chair (name not specified) moved to close the courthouse at noon on Thursday and to give county employees the remainder of the day off; another commissioner seconded the motion and commissioners approved it. The motion was presented as a one-time operational decision tied to the holiday schedule and shared staffing arrangements between county buildings.

Commissioners also noted the county revised its employee handbook in 2023 and said they will revisit holiday and time-off policies to address multiple partial-day closures and staffing impacts in future updates.

No changes to pay policy or a permanent handbook amendment were made at the meeting; the decision covered the stated Thursday closure only.