The county reopened the Community Economic Development Office, Emergency Management Office, Personnel and Utilities Office, commission office, Soil and Water Conservation District, Clark County-Springfield Transportation Coordinating Committee, dog shelter and soil waste district earlier this week.
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“While offices are reopening, elected officials are continuing to encourage residents to use online, mail or dropbox services, if possible,” a statement from the county said.
The county also asks those seeking in-person service to take several precautions including submitting to temperature checks, wearing appropriate face coverings out of respect for others and maintaining social/physical distancing of six feet at all times.
In order to limit interactions with the public and protect employees, the county has installed barriers in certain areas of offices, the statement said.
The Clark County Offices and Municipal Court building, located at 50 E. Columbia St., will also reopen Monday with similar precautions including a required temperature screening and face-covering for entrance, the statement said.
Hand sanitizer dispensers will be available at the Municipal Court, subject to availability, the statement said.
“The Court and its staff will engage in frequent cleaning and wipe downs of high-touch areas,” the statement said.
Access to the buildings is limited to only those persons with official business including parties in a court case, subpoenaed witnesses, crime victims, summoned jurors and attorneys, the statement said.
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People conducting official business with the offices of the Clark County Commission, Probate Court, Clerk of Court Title Division, Prosecuting Attorney, Public Defender, City of Springfield Prosecutor, Clerk of Municipal Court and the Municipal Court Probation Court will also be allowed entrance into the building.
“People who do not have official business to conduct with any of the aforementioned offices should not come to the building, and may have access restricted during the public health emergency,” the statement said.
Court scheduling has been adjusted in an attempt to reduce the number of required appearances, the statement said.
“Any necessary jury trials will be held in the first-floor courtroom, which will allow for appropriate social distancing for parties, attorneys, witnesses, jurors and court staff,” the statement said.
The Court will also continue to conduct video arraignments, which have been going on since late March. The Court purchased its own video equipment with a $34,000 grant from the Ohio Supreme Court in April.
The measure is intended to reduce the number of in-court appearances by jail inmates.
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