Spencer County Judge Executive declares local COVID-19 emergency
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Summary
Judge John Riley issued a county Declaration of Emergency March 16 citing federal and state emergency orders and urged coordination and common-sense precautions; no confirmed county cases were reported at the meeting.
On March 16, 2020, Spencer County Judge Executive John Riley told the Fiscal Court he had issued a Declaration of Emergency for Spencer County in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Riley told the court that federal, state and local governments had taken extraordinary measures and that he was exercising powers under Chapter 39A of the Kentucky Revised Statutes to coordinate resources with district health departments, the city and other agencies. "I wasn't aware of any confirmed cases in Spencer County. Everyone was encouraged to use good common sense," Riley said during the meeting.
Riley said he had participated in conference calls with Louisville and other County Judges and that some county offices might operate on limited schedules while the Local Emergency Planning Committee would meet the next day to discuss local response. The court reviewed an executive order text entered into the record that referenced federal (HHS), state (Governor Andy Beshear) and presidential declarations and specified cooperation with local and state emergency management and health authorities.
The court did not adopt additional restricted measures at that meeting but signaled ongoing coordination and review of service impacts as state and federal guidance evolved. Court members also discussed implications for county services and committees and asked staff to monitor changing guidance.