MANSFIELD — Richland County commissioners said Thursday they do not plan to close county offices to the public, even as COVID-19 cases continue to spike.
The City of Mansfield and the City of Ontario both announced this week that offices in those municipalities would be closing to the public due to concerns over coronavirus spread.
“We still have the work of the people to do,” Commissioner Marilyn John said. “So I guess (we remain open) unless the State of Ohio tells us we are supposed to be closing down these offices, and they have not done that yet.”
John and fellow commissioners Tony Vero and Darrell Banks all said public traffic into the building has declined dramatically since the pandemic reached Ohio in March, at least in part to the efforts of the county to make more services available online.
Commissioners also said they had encouraged all county employees who can work remotely to do so and had used CARES Act funds to provide technology assistance for those work-from-home efforts.
Commissioners also said they continue to use CARES Act funds to provide for improved cleaning efforts, PPE, wipes and hand sanitizer.
“We have vital services to provide to the public,” Vero said. “We have taken all the safety measures we can to protect citizens and employees who do come into the building. Barring unforeseen circumstances, we will remain open.”
Vero pointed out the county administration building is also home to the courts system, including the general division, domestic relations and probate courts.
“We can’t speak for the courts, but I don’t think they have any intention of closing,” he said.
Banks said, “If someone needs our services and they don’t want to come into the building, we have tried to find ways to provide it. If they call this office, we will find a way to help them out.
“We will keep on trucking here and people who want to come in can come in and get business done,” Banks said.
Also on Thursday, John led her final quarterly department head meeting. She will be leaving local office at the end of December to represent Richland County in the Ohio House of Representatives.
John, who will take the House 2nd District seat, said the Richland County Republican Party Central Committee will select her replacement on the board of commissioners in early January.
