Lyon County’s public health order will see no alterations to its current format following the Lyon County Commission’s weekly action session Thursday.
During the meeting, Public Health Officer Dr. Ladun Oyenuga provided a public health update on the current COVID-19 situation in the county. During her presentation, Dr. Oyenuga noted there continues to be a significant strain on health professionals both for Public Health as well as Newman Regional Health due to the ongoing pandemic.
Additionally, the county remains in the red category of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s color-coding system meaning there continues to be a high level of COVID transmission within the county. At this time, the county’s COVID transmission rate is at 21.86 percent.
Following her report, the question was posed as to whether Dr. Oyenuga felt there should be a mask mandate in place to which she responded yes.
Ultimately, commissioners decided to continue the current health order which strongly recommends mask use, social distancing and other preventative practices but does not mandate them. Commissioner Scott Briggs stated during the meeting that he feels a mask mandate at this time would likely do more harm than good.
Dr. Oyenuga says she understood the commission’s decision and when asked where she feels the county could be heading if the current COVID-19 trends and strain on health staff continue at the current pace she stated, “we’ll have to wait and see.” Commissioners have stated on numerous occasions that they do not see any instance in the near future where they would alter the current public health order.
In other business, Lyon County voters will have their say on the future of the countywide one-percent sales tax after commissioners voted unanimously to put the tax extension on the November ballot for public approval.
The one-cent tax has been in place 12 years, having been first approved by voters in 2009 and extended in 2012. Discussions are underway to extend the tax another 15 years.
The tax generates funds for all Lyon County towns, with Emporia getting the lion’s share — 48 to 53 percent per year, according to Mayor Rob Gilligan. After the City Commission approved a letter of support for the extension Wednesday night, Gilligan said the city share has funded a variety of projects, including street repairs, stormwater improvements, park investments and upgrades to the David Traylor Zoo through the nearly $20 million in revenues collected during the life of the tax.
County Commission Chairman Rollie Martin says the city’s support of the tax illustrates its importance to the local community.
The general election is Nov. 2.
The Lyon County Commission will reconvene for its weekly meeting next Thursday at 9 am inside the Lyon County Courthouse.
