Limiting contact

Many offices at Jay County Courthouse will be closed to the public as of the end of business today.

“We have decided to close the courthouse to the extent possible,” Chuck Huffman, president of the Jay County Commissioners, told department heads and elected officials at a Tuesday morning meeting in the courthouse auditorium. “We do need to limit as much public contact as possible for their health and ours. … At this point, we’re just saying, ‘until further notice.’”

Jay Circuit Court and Jay Superior Court will be “business as usual,” though there may be a few exceptions. Judge Brian Hutchison said the courts may be more agreeable to postponing court action and no inmates from Jay County Jail will be physically present in the courtrooms unless necessary.

No jury trials are on the horizon for the next several weeks.

While it will still be possible for the general public to attend court proceedings, that is discouraged during a period of precautions because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Judge Hutchison and Jay Superior Court Judge Max Ludy also may limit attendance. Both courts stressed that those summoned are expected to appear.

“The ultimate goal is that we flatten the curve,” Jay County Health Department administrator Heath Butz said, noting recent action to limit gatherings to 10 or fewer. the The State of Indiana has ordered restaurants, bars, nightclubs and other gathering places closed, except for carry out or delivery service.

“This is very fluid,” Butz said of the current situation. “The schools, hospital and health department are meeting routinely. … We’re all working together.”

Huffman said the current plan is for the north and south doors of the courthouse to remain open to the public during business hours. However, most offices will be locked, requiring the public to make an appointment by phone or email.

Phone numbers and email addresses for all county departments can be found on the county’s website, jaycounty.net. An automated listing of phone numbers can also be accessed by calling (260) 726-7575.

“We anticipate everyone will be working normal hours,” Huffman said, but the intent is to reduce in-person interaction.

“We recommend as much social distancing and working remotely as possible,” said Butz. “Anything over 10 people, if it can be postponed we recommend you do that. … At this point, we’re not saying, ‘Stop working.’ But try to limit the interaction with the public.”

In an executive order issued Tuesday, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said:

•All public meetings should be limited to only essential matters

•Statutory deadlines requiring a governing body to meet are suspended

•Governing bodies may suspend the requirement of adopting a policy for electronic participation in a meeting

•Notices for meetings may be posted solely by electronic means

“When a public meeting must be held — including regularly scheduled meetings of the Jay County Commissioners, Jay County Council and Jay County Drainage Board — they will be held with the hopes that no more than 10 people will be in attendance at one time to allow proper distances from each other,” commissioners said in a press release. “All meetings will be held in the auditorium and will address essential matters only.”

The Jay County Board of Zoning Appeals meeting scheduled for Thursday has been canceled.

Non-governmental events scheduled to use the courthouse will have to be canceled and rescheduled for a later date.