Cedar County Courthouse reopens its doors
HARTINGTON — It’s business as usual at the Cedar County Courthouse this week — well, almost usual, anyway.
Cedar County Commissioners agreed at their May 26 meeting to open the courthouse June 1.
New glass has been installed above the counters at the Assessor, Clerk and Treasurer offices to better reduce the chances employees or customers could contract the COVID-19 virus at the courthouse. The county employees working in
The county employees working in these offices feel the new glass partitions will work out fine and not significantly hinder their ability to communicate with customers at the counter and vice versa. There may be a need to talk just a bit louder so each can be heard to conduct business, though, Commissioners said.
Before making the decision to open Monday, Commissioners had a lengthy discussion about when to open the courthouse to the public and still meet the state guidelines and restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 epidemic.
Even though the facility is now open to the public once again there are certain restrictions and requirements in place. It was recommended and agreed to
It was recommended and agreed to by the commissioners that the public coming into the courthouse must wear a mask for the time being and that social distancing of six feet be adhered to at all times while in line waiting to approach the counter.
If there is a longer line waiting to go to the treasurer’s office they should form a line to the right and individuals wanting to go to either the County Assessor’s office or the County Clerk’s office could pass to the left so that they do not have to wait behind any line going to the treasurer’s office, noting that the treasurer’s office usually gets the most traffic.
The Department of Motor Vehicles, after hearing that the courthouse would opened June 1, will most likely be open either this week or next week. In other business,
In other business, Road Supt. Carla Schmidt reminded the commissioners that road department employees identification cards need to be updated. Discussion was held on holding equipment training especially for the newer employees and as a possible refresher course for seasoned employees.
Discussion was also held on various road closings in the county that has been a point of discussion for the past few months. No action was taken as more discussion, especially with the adjacent landowners, will need to take place.
Zoning Administrator, Tim Gobel reported that the Zoning Board ap proved the building permits for Craig Ebberson for a 12’ X 8’ pump house for an irrigation well, Ruby Arduser for a 32’ X 36’ house addition and a 12’ X 24’ garage, and for Marsh Farms for a 100,000-bushel grain bin.
Clerk of District Court Janet Wiechelman met with the board to discuss bailiff positions in various surrounding counties and how different employees in the court system are paid. The discussion may lead to some possible changes in the future, but for now, no action is being taken.
Lastly, Board Chairman Dave McGregor signed a two-year renewal contract for the public defender with Kennedy Pier Loftis, LLP law firm.
The next regular commissioners’ meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m., June 9, at the Cedar County Courthouse.