Lyon County’s disaster declaration will now continue through early November.
County Commissioners approved a 60-day extension during their weekly action meeting Thursday morning. Commissioners were presented with two options with the declaration either to extend it until the commission chose to rescind it or for the 60-day period.
Commission Chair Rollie Martin stated the 60-day extension was his personal preference as it provides a definite cutoff time.
The declaration provides access to a number of state resources for COVID-19 mitigation including sheltering, personal protective equipment, Kansas Army National Guard personnel and more. The extension goes into effect Friday and will expire on Nov. 2.
In other business, Lyon County District Court Administrative Judge Merlin Wheeler presented the commission with the possibility of renovating district courtrooms to accommodate jury trial proceedings. Given the pandemic, Wheeler says the county courtrooms are not properly equipped at this time to accommodate jury trials and adhere to best health practices.
This would mean having to move the proceedings to a different location other than county courtrooms. Wheeler says this possibility presents a number of concerns.
Wheeler is proposing the installation of plexiglass for a secure jury box, witness stand and bailiff’s area within courtrooms. His earliest estimate is that the renovations would cost roughly $20,000 per courtroom, however, an exact quote is pending.
Wheeler is hopeful to have two courtrooms renovated to accommodate more than one trial. Wheeler is scheduled to meet with a contractor next week and will present more information to commissioners at a later time.
The Lyon County Commission will reconvene for its weekly action session next Thursday at 9 am inside the Lyon County Courthouse.
