MANSFIELD — Don’t count on visiting a Richland County government office on April 8.
Like the skies that afternoon during the total solar eclipse, county offices will be dark.
Richland County commissioners on Tuesday voted to close county offices for the entire day of the once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event.
In Richland County, the eclipse experience will begin at approximately 1:57 p.m. Totality is expected to begin at 3:12 p.m. and local residents (and guests) can expect 3 minutes and 12 seconds of daytime darkness.
“This closure is made necessary due to the projected population influx to the county to witness the total solar eclipse,” commissioners said in a press release after the unanimous vote.
“The Richland County Emergency Management Agency and community public safety partners have forecast impacts on traffic, communications, supplies and safety services (April 8),” commissioners said in the press release.
The following county buildings will be closed April 8:
— Administration/courthouse
— Longview Center
— People’s Building
— Child Support Enforcement Agency
— Dog Warden & Adoption Center
— Engineer & Title office
— Job & Family Services
— Park Building
— Juvenile Justice Center
— Wastewater Department (bills due April 10 can be paid by April 12)
Commissioner Cliff Mears said the three-member board consulted with other officials to discuss options for Eclipse Day, including the possibility of opening offices until noon.
“For the sake of consistency for taxpayers, wondering where they can get services on that day and what hours they’d be open, we decided it would be more prudent just to close those buildings,” Mears said.
He said the closure will occur regardless of the weather forecast. A cloudy day in north central Ohio may send visitors scurrying elsewhere for better viewing.
“We decided not to do that because the weather forecast being what they are, it still may be incorrect,” Mears said.
He said other county elected officials, including judges, are in agreement with the decision.
“To the best of my knowledge, they are in keeping with our announcement today,” he said.