Washington County commissioners receive COVID-19 update: models, PPE supply and no county hazard pay
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Summary
County officials reported local COVID-19 models, emergency operations, and PPE stocks May 4; county manager said the county has about a 30-day PPE supply, EMS is adequately supplied, and the county is not providing hazard pay at this time.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners heard a routine COVID-19 briefing during its May 4, 2020 virtual meeting, where County Manager and County Attorney Curtis Potter, MTW Health Department Director Wes Gray and Emergency Management Coordinator Lance Swindell reviewed local case trends, preparedness actions and supplies.
Curtis Potter said county staff continue weekly coordination calls with regional partners as the state moves through the governor's phased re-opening. "We have a sufficient supply—at least a 30 day supply," Potter said when asked about PPE stocks for county staff, and he reported that EMS Director Jennifer O'Neal indicated EMS currently has necessary supplies.
Wes Gray said local models vary, with at least one model indicating the county may have peaked the week before and others showing a possible June peak; he also told commissioners there were no confirmed youth cases in the county at that time. "No, not in our counties," Gray said in response to a question about youth diagnoses.
Emergency Management Coordinator Lance Swindell said the county is running regional food distributions and coordinating PPE deliveries. Swindell noted that Hurricane Preparedness Week will change how sheltering is handled during the pandemic and that the county will provide updated guidance to local media.
Commissioner Johnson told staff she had heard projections that sales tax revenue could fall substantially and asked that finance staff account for that in upcoming budget work. Finance Officer Missy Dixon and County Manager Potter said they would incorporate revenue projections into budget planning; the board was told earlier in the meeting that staff are preparing for a possible decrease in sales tax revenue.
When asked about hazard pay, Potter said no county employees were receiving hazard pay and that he was not planning to present a hazard-pay policy to the board. He said the county would consider hazard pay only if a reimbursement program for such payments were identified.
The county also noted it had recently received $250,000 in funds (announced the morning of the meeting) but Potter said he had not yet determined what those funds could be used for and that the allowable uses were still under review.
The briefing closed with the board and staff discussing ongoing telework limitations for some departments, continued coordination with regional partners, and plans to return to virtual meetings in June unless guidance changes.