Saline County Commissioners voted 3-2 to reaffirm the county health officer's plan to reopen the county.
County Health Officer Jason Tiller discussed the plan during today's county commission meeting.
Tiller told commissioners that 1,044 Saline County residents have been tested for COVID-19, a testing rate of 19.25 per 1,000, according to information provided by the county. Since the first confirmed case in the county, eight Saline County residents with COVID-19 have been hospitalized and two have died, he said.
When Governor Laura Kelly returned reopening authority to the counties on May 26, Tiller issued a local health order to keep Saline County in Phase 2 following the governor’s Ad Astra Reopening Plan. He said he did so to maintain continuity and have appropriate time to meet with important stakeholders.
It was determined that a phased approach to reopening would be best for the county, with emphasis on data being used to determing further reopening. Tiller told commissioners that data used included more than just case numbers. He said that testing rates need to increase and the percent of positive results from testing, as well as the number of deaths, needs to continue to be low. Additionally, the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations at Salina Regional Health Center also is a factor because people from other counties who are hospitalized at SRHC could affect healthcare resources available to Saline County residents, the county information noted.
According to Tiller's plan, Phase 3 is scheduled to begin on Friday. All businesses, events, and activities will be allowed to open and mass gatherings would be limited to 50 people or less while still following social distancing recommendations and disinfection guidelines, the county information noted. Phase Out would be scheduled for June 19.
“For all of this to be successful, everyone has to do their part. Every individual has a responsibility and a choice to do what they feel is right,” Tiller said.
Tiller emphasized the need for people to continue to practice social distancing as much as possible, wear masks in public, staying home if sick, and continue to wash their hands.
In response to Tiller's request for the commissioners to reaffirm and adopt the phased reopening plan, Commissioner Monte Shadwick read a prepared statement, ending with, "“I feel we need to continue to advocate for social distancing and safe practice but lift restrictions immediately and let Saline County get back to business."
Commissioners then voted 3-2 in favor of the phased plan with Shadwick and Commissioner Rodger Sparks voting against the motion.
In other business:
•Commissioner Mike White asked the other commissioners for discussion on the tobacco-free campus proposal that is being considered with the Building Authority board. He noted that the Salina Public Library implemented its tobacco-free policy on Monday. White said the item is potentially up for a vote at the next Building Authority meeting.
•During his weekly update, County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes told commissioners that the consultant for the radio project delivered a report and recommendation to the county Monday night. That information has been emailed out to the rest of the 911 Advisory Group for their review before it is scheduled to be in front of both governing bodies, hopefully in the near future, the county information noted.
Smith-Hanes also said that Mitch Robinson with the Salina Community Economic Development Organization had approched him to see whether the county would be interested in issuing industrial revenue bonds for a potential ag-related retail project. Commissioners asked for Robinson to be scheduled to meet with them about this project so they could learn more.
Smith-Hanes also updated commissioners on legislative matters out of Topeka.
•White led a study session and discussion about county roads. Commissioners receive the most calls from residents concerning road conditions and issues, the county information noted. Darren Fishel, Road and Bridge Department administrator, provided commissioners with a map that showed all of the areas in the county that have been improved over the last few years but did emphasize some of the challenges the department faces with weather, staffing and equipment, and prioritization of projects.
•Commissioners also met in executive session for an issue of attorney-client privilege.