The city of Emporia is continuing business as usual, with some adjustments amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Monday, the city announced it was limiting access to city offices and requesting residents to utilize the city dropbox, respective office phone numbers or mail to conduct business for the time being. City Manager Mark McAnarney says while they have not received an abundance of feedback on those changes, what feedback they have received has been positive for the most part.
McAnarney adds city staff is holding multiple meetings in order to gauge their next steps as the coronavirus pandemic continues to evolve. At this time McAnarney says they will continue to conduct business as usual while following CDC and state government guidelines.
In the event city offices were forced to close altogether McAnarney says they will continue operations form alternate sites such as having staff work from home as many other local agencies have chosen to do. The Emporia City Commission is scheduled for two meetings Wednesday evening and McAnarney says those will go on as scheduled with social distancing parameters in place.
For more information or questions contact the city manager’s office at 343-4251.
More municipal governments are making changes. Lyndon is closing its City Hall offices to the public immediately until further notice. City services will proceed as normal without interruption, but residents are directed to the city’s website, the city website or phone for paying utilities and all city business will be handled at the city’s drive-thru window or by phone. All events at the Lyndon Community Center are canceled until further notice.
Lyndon’s announcement followed a string of adjustments in Emporia from Monday, including the closure of Municipal Court and the rescheduling of court hearings this week, the closure of both fire station lobbies and the closure of the Public Works office — along with encouragements for residents to make payments at the city dropbox, by mail or calling the respective department. Burlington, Cottonwood Falls, Madison and Strong City are also asking residents to pay utilities at city dropboxes, by mail or online if the website option applies.
At the county level, the Lyon County Highway Department is now closing its office to the public until further notice. Residents can call in road concerns, conditions or requests to 340-8220.
