Washington County officials debate courthouse reopening and safety protocols as testing expands
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Summary
County officials discussed a phased reopening of the courthouse (tentatively June 15) amid concerns about staff safety, a detention floor, elevator logistics, mask enforcement and availability of testing; health director urged masks and distancing while the county manager said he did not yet feel it was safe to open fully.
Washington County leaders received an update on COVID-19 operations and debated when and how to reopen the courthouse during their June 1, 2020 meeting.
County Manager and County Attorney Curtis Potter, MTW Health Department Director Wes Gray and Emergency Management Coordinator Lance Swindell delivered the update and answered commissioners’ questions about courthouse operations, security and testing. Potter said Executive Order 124 had been extended and described conversations with Domtar about a planned summer shutdown and the arrival of outside contractors.
Potter described operational concerns with reopening because the courthouse includes a detention floor and shared elevator space. "I do not feel it is safe at this point to open the Courthouse," Potter said, citing staff safety and detained-population logistics. Several commissioners said they wanted to start reopening; others urged caution and recommended masks, temperature checks and social distancing.
Gray said testing is increasing and that MTW can test anyone; he encouraged continued use of masks and distancing. "Wear masks and continue social distancing," Gray said. The Clerk of Court had proposed a June 15 date to allow for a slower court calendar; Potter said he recommended waiting until at least that date and implementing safety measures first.
Why it matters: Reopening the courthouse affects access to court services and public-facing county services while creating potential exposure risks for staff and detained individuals; the county must balance service continuity with public-health precautions.
What the Board decided: The Board agreed to revisit the issue on June 15 and to monitor testing and safety preparations in the interim; no final reopening order was issued at the June 1 meeting.
Next steps: Staff were directed to continue planning for phased reopening, to seek personal-protection and noncontact thermometer procurement, and to report back on staffing, security and logistical protocols ahead of the June 15 review date.