The Lyon County Courthouse will be closed to the public beginning Friday.
Lyon County Commissioners approved the decision during their weekly action session Thursday morning. Commissioners wished to make it clear they will “keep county government moving,” however, it will just be conducted in a different way as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Commissioners are encouraging local residents to conduct business either through phone calls, mail and email. If business must be conducted in person all visitors to the courthouse will undergo a verbal health screening before access will be granted.
Last week, commission chairman Rollie Martin stated the county still has essential business that must be conducted and the pandemic does change that. Martin was unavailable for comment Thursday, however, commissioner Scott Briggs says this was the best solution for the commission to continue conducting its business while ensuring the safety of all staff.
Commissioners also granted authority to all county department heads and elected officials to make any changes necessary to help reduce the spread of illness, such as the size of staff population in the offices and how the office chooses to conduct its business. Briggs tells KVOE News at this time all county staff will continue to be paid their normal wages.
If any residents need to make payments, such as for vehicle tags, tickets, etc… they are told to contact the specific county office at which time further instructions will be provided.
On top of the courthouse closure, both Lyon and Chase County District Court offices are now closed to the public until further notice with only essential staff being asked to report. Meanwhile, all Social Security offices — including the one in Emporia — are closed to the public with residents told to go online to www.socialsecurity.gov for more information.
Commissioners will be continuing their weekly action sessions as scheduled, however, they are currently looking at options for streaming those meetings online to reduce the number of individuals in attendance. Further details are pending on that topic.
The county commission will reconvene for their weekly session next Thursday at 9 am.
Copy of public notice posted at the Lyon County Courthouse, including essential information provided below.
EFFECTIVE FRIDAY,
MARCH 20, 2020
THE LYON COUNTY
COURTHOUSE BUILDING IS CLOSED TO THE
PUBLIC UNTIL
FURTHER NOTICE.
Please call for assistance
or appointment.
Register of Deeds: 620-341-3240
County Clerk: 620-341-3243
County Treasurer: 620-341-3255
Appraiser: 620-341-3232
Motor Vehicle: 620-341-3257
Community Corr: 620-341-3380
District Court: 620-341-3283
Thank you
For more information visit www.lyoncounty.org
