Friday, the Carroll County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution limiting public interaction with county employees during the coronavirus pandemic.
The resolution states that department heads are authorized to limit office hours of operation, number of individuals permitted to be present in the office at a given time, restrict the portions of the office space that members of the public will have access and require that some communication and/or requests for records are done over the phone or electronically and requires anyone exhibiting symtoms of COVID-19 to leave the office space and building immediately.
The board decided last Wednesday to enact a policy that will help to protect them and the public during the Coronavirus pandemic. Chancery Clerk Casey Carpenter and Tax Assessor Wilton Neal are rotating employees. Carpenter said there will be three people in his office with him every other day, and Neal said there will a rotation of two people in the Carrollton office and one person in the Vaiden office. Neal will float in between the two to help out as needed.
Supervisor Jim Neill said he also spoke to Sharon Tollison, the director of the Carroll County Libraries in Carrollton/North Carrollton and Vaiden and she told him the library was closed and will reopen Monday with limited access.
“She said people who need to use the wi-fi can, they can bring their laptops and sit in the conference room. They’ll be two people in the conference room at a time,” he said.
With the Carroll County School District and Carroll Academy both closed until April 17, one of the biggest problems is Carroll County doesn’t have sufficient internet service throughout the entire county and a lot of families don’t have internet access.
“I called and left a message with [Senator] Lydia [Chassaniol] and I called [Representative] Karl [Oliver] and I left a message with him because we really need better internet service in the county,” Neill said.
Town of Carrollton
The Town of Carrollton will limit visitation to town hall due to the increased number of reported COVID-19 cases in neighboring Leflore County.
According to Mayor Pam Lee, town hall will be limited to phone calls and emails, with appointments being made if necessary. Office hours are now 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For those making water payments, checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 181, Carrollton, 38917, or they can be left in the drop box on the outside of town hall. Now water customers can make payments by phone with a credit or debit card by calling 662-237-4600.
For those inquiring about booking the Carrollton Community House, no events may be held before May 1. Anyone with April events already booked will receive a full refund on the amount already paid if they want to cancel.
For those who want to book the Community House after May 1, you can do so over the phone with a credit or debit card.
Town of North Carrollton
The Town of North Carrollton due to the coronavirus has decided that all water payments and collections will be received by the drop box at city hall or mailed to P. O. Box 305, North Carrollton, MS 38947.
“In order to protect citizens, and employees due to the COVID 19, these measures are to help with public health and safety,” said North Carrollton Mayor Ken Strachan.
Citizens are encouraged to call 662-237-9268 to discuss town business before you come to city hall.
“There are many day-to-day services that can be worked out over the phone or internet, and this eliminates personal contact during this time.” Strachan said.
