The Lyon County Commission will hold off on issuing exact guidance on the use of masks in accordance with Governor Laura Kelly’s recently issued executive order until more information can be gathered.
During the commission’s weekly action session Thursday morning, Commission Chair Rollie Martin says official guidance will likely be given at the commission’s upcoming action session next Thursday allowing commissioners, and public health officials, ample time to compile a more thorough understanding of the governor’s order. The governor’s order which was announced Monday and officially released Thursday will mandate the use of masks in public settings for all Kansans.
In a report to the commission Thursday, Public Health Officer Renee Hively stated she supports the governor’s plan, however, she does not agree with the use of the term mandate.
It is Hively’s hope that residents will choose to follow the order and wear masks in public spaces where social distancing of six feet cannot be maintained. She says at this time prevention is “all we have” to continue combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
Martin says the current plan is for the county to render their decision next Thursday when the current county public health order is set to expire, however, he noted that if the situation becomes dire the commission could possibly call a special session ahead of the deadline. Thursday’s discussions come as Lyon County’s active COVID-19 case numbers continue to trend downward in recent weeks.
In other business, Lyon County Controller Dan Williams presented an update on the county’s 2021 budget. An exact total for the budget is still pending as discussions continue, however, Williams says the budget will see a mill levy decrease of 4.1 mills from 59.73 to 55.61.
Williams says a levy decrease of this size is a rare occurrence.
Williams says a major contributing factor to the levy decrease was a shift in payment plans for the county’s portion of the city/county emergency radio project.
The county is still reviewing a plethora of budget allocation requests for fiscal year 2021 with more details to be announced in the coming weeks. The deadline for the budget’s certification is August 25.
Separately Thursday, commissioners also rendered a decision on the Emporia Senior Center’s request to tap $8,000 in emergency funding due to financial impacts from the ongoing pandemic. Commissioners approved half of the request granting the center $4,000 in emergency funds.
The Lyon County Commission will reconvene for its weekly action session next Thursday inside the Lyon County Courthouse.
