UPDATE 03/25/20: The Water Resources Commissioner’s Office Is Closed Through April 12, 2020. Please continue to check the Water Resources Commissioner’s website for updates.
MEDIA RELEASE
March 25, 2020
For Immediate Release
For more information contact:
Gregory Dill – Washtenaw County Administrator
[email protected]
Washtenaw County Government Extends Closure of Non-Essential Services
County Administrator making plans to reestablish operations on Monday, April 13
ANN ARBOR, MI- In his daily message to county staff, Washtenaw County Administrator Gregory Dill announced a continued closure of non-essential services. He now plans to reestablish operations on Monday, April 13.
“We are in the midst of a global crisis, and we all need to do our part to help flatten the curve on Coronavirus. Our local leaders and health experts communicate with one another several times per day, and we’re working to coordinate essential services in our respective communities, while keeping everyone safe.’ states Dill, ‘As public servants, we have a collective goal to ensure the health and safety of everyone in our county, and we’re working together to deliver that. We are the safety net for many, and we have a moral obligation to continue essential services, both those that are mandated and those that provide lifelines during this time, such as providing food, shelter and utility assistance. As this crisis evolves, we will continue to evaluate our service delivery and adapt based on recommendations from health experts while continuing to consider the needs of our residents.”
Chair of the Board of Commissioners Jason Morgan adds, “Washtenaw County is following the lead of our governor, she has exhibited incredible leadership on this issue, and we will heed her directives.’ Morgan continued, ‘Washtenaw County is the leader in so many things, including quality of life, and we are often expected to set the standard, so it makes sense to extend this non-essential closure in order to maintain our healthy community by keeping as many people as possible home. I am so proud of the work our essential, front-line staff have been doing, and I’m equally as proud of those who are following the directives to stay home so we can end this pandemic. Our local community leaders, health experts and our governor have acted in the best interest of public health and safety during this challenging time, the decisions we’re all making are difficult, but necessary. I look forward to bringing a healthy workforce back to Washtenaw County Government as soon as we are safely able.”
Washtenaw County Departments continue to update their respective websites so residents are aware of available services. Whenever possible, staff are working remotely to respond to and meet the needs of their customers.
###
*****
The Water Resources Commissioner’s Office Is Closed Through April 5, 2020. Please continue to check the Water Resources Commissioner’s website for updates.
On March 15, 2020, Washtenaw County Administrator Gregory Dill announced that all non-essential county operations will be closed through April 5, 2020.
MEDIA RELEASE
Date: March 15, 2020
For Immediate Release
For more information Contact: Gregory Dill, Washtenaw County Administrator [email protected]
All Non-Essential Washtenaw County Operations Closed Through April 5, 2020
Ann Arbor, MI – Washtenaw County Administrator Gregory Dill announced today that all non-essential county operations will be closed through April 5, 2020 – The county is planning to open all departments for business as usual on Monday, April 6, 2020.
“In order to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus, we’ve made the determination to close all non-essential county operations and ask all nonessential staff to stay home,’ said Administrator Dill, ‘this was not an easy decision, we are the safety net in our community, and we’ve worked to identify staff who can continue their work with our most vulnerable.” Dill continued, “I’ve asked each department to update their official page on www.washtenaw.org and share what the public can expect during this closure.”
Staff deemed essential will be working remotely from home when possible, and those who have direct interaction with our community members will continue to provide those mandated and safety-net services. For example, those with food or shelter insecurities will continue to be served at the same level, those who develop these insecurities as a result of this crisis are asked to contact the county’s Office of Community and Economic Development.
It should be noted that the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners is planning to hold their March 18 meeting at 10:00 a.m. but are discouraging the public from attending. The meeting is livestreamed on the Board’s webpage, which can be found by clicking ‘Watch Meetings’ here.
Chair of the Board Jason Morgan states, “The safety and well-being of our employees is critical and we are taking this action to minimize risk of exposure to COVID-19, while ensuring essential services and social safety functions continue to operate. We are moving our board meeting to the morning to avoid having staff around in the evening, reducing our agenda to only time-sensitive actions, and ensuring the meeting is accessible online as always. We also encourage residents to stay home and avoid going out unless absolutely necessary.”
Both Chair Morgan and Administrator Dill thank our community members for their patience and understanding during this unprecedented crisis and ask that residents continue to utilize information from our Health Department, the State of Michigan and the CDC – please follow their directives so we may slow the spread of this illness.
###
(The attached letter to the employees of the organization outlines departments that will be providing services, albeit, at a reduced level.)