Major changes are coming to Lyon County’s public health order.
During the Lyon County Commission’s weekly action session Thursday morning, commissioners approved the latest version of the order which ends several COVID-19 related mandates. This includes the mass gathering limit of 100 people or less for indoor and outdoor venues and all other mandates except for the county’s mask mandate.
The order went into effect following its signing Thursday and will remain in place until commissioners choose to end, rescind or amend the document. The county’s action follows Morris County’s decision to end its mask mandate and mass gathering limit Thursday, citing an increased risk of lawsuits due to Senate Bill 40 allowing individuals who felt “aggrieved” by COVID-related decisions to seek civil action.
Lyon County Public Health Officer Dr. Ladun Oyenuga says SB40 was a talking point during the development of the new health order, but it was not the ultimate deciding factor.
While the order removes several mandates within the county, commission chair Rollie Martin says the order still strongly encourages residents not to abandon mitigation efforts entirely as the pandemic is still ongoing. Martin adds the county chose not to add a specific end date as the commission feels the order in its current form is something the public can comfortably live with for however long it may be needed.
In other business, commissioners received an update on court operations from Lyon County Chief Judge Merlin Wheeler. According to Wheeler, the courthouse is tentatively planning to resume jury trials on May 3.
Wheeler is confident the number of safety precautions that have been installed within the courtrooms coupled with the court’s mitigation plan will be sufficient to protect the health and safety of all individuals within the courtroom. This announcement follows the Kansas Legislature’s announcement last week that it has enacted a plan to give prosecutors across the state just over two years to clear the sizeable backlog of criminal cases caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wheeler has stated that he does not believe Lyon County will require that much time due to the number of cases that have been resolved in mitigation hearings over the past several months.
Additionally, commissioners gave directions for LCAT to begin drafting project proposals for security camera upgrades and the construction of a new bus barn. The county’s instructions have not given approval for those projects to begin only for LCAT to begin the application process for funding through the Kansas Department of Transportation.
LCAT Administrators will appear before commissioners prior to sending off said applications to the state. Commissioners also approved the vacation of Road 40 and H following a road viewing Wednesday morning.
County commissioners will reconvene for their weekly action session next Thursday at 9 am inside the Lyon County Courthouse.
