Commissioners to discuss reopening county offices
Mar. 5—EPHRATA — Grant County Commissioners will meet with other county officials Monday to discuss reopening the Grant County Courthouse and county offices.
"We are hoping (to start reopening) the first part of April," said commissioner Cindy Carter.
The courthouse and most county offices had limited public access in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Access has been limited since.
Commissioner Danny Stone said certain offices are open for public business now, with some restrictions. Stone said the goal is to open as far as possible, within the regulations.
"As much as the governor will allow. Because we still have lots of guidelines we have to follow," Carter said.
A revised reopening plan was announced by Gov. Jay Inslee in January, and all Washington counties have reached Phase 2 of the plan. Inslee hasn't laid out reopening plans beyond that phase.
"We don't even know what Phase 3 is yet," Stone said.
Commissioners have met with county maintenance officials, the county's civil attorney and the human resources director to discuss reopening protocols.
"We just want to make sure we can legally open to the public," Carter said.
Commissioners want to ensure county employees are protected and the public is protected, she said. Some county employees are at high risk for complications from the coronavirus and are working from home. Others have children who haven't returned to school, and it's difficult for parents to return to work if kids are still at home, she said.
Carter said the commissioners hope to start meeting and conducting hearings in the commission hearing room as part of the reopening plan. People will be allowed in the hearing room, but occupancy will be limited to 12 people, Carter said.
Monday's 11 a.m. meeting will include a discussion to determine how other elected officials want to handle reopening of their offices.
Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.
