File photo
File photo
The Montgomery County Board met last month to discuss extending measures of the county's disaster declaration due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Board approved an extension of the disaster declaration in Montgomery County until mid-May, allowing the county to apply to FEMA for disaster relief funds. Montgomery County also noted its new incurred expenses .
County Treasurer Nikki Lohman said she is keeping track of all COVID-19 expenses from the county, like sanitation materials and new laptops so employees can work from home, in hopes of being reimbursed by the federal government.
As of May 13, Illinois reported 83,021 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 3,601 deaths. Montgomery County has 34 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
During the last in-person Board meeting, Montgomery County resident Jake Fleming asked if the county would offer reduced hours for viewing public records, like land deeds.
“I know you want to protect your staff, but people still have to do essential things,” Fleming said. “Without access to those records, they can’t buy a home.”
Chairman Evan Young stood by the closures of county offices, however.
“We should know before long if this thing is going to fizzle away or blow up," he said. "Until then, our approach is the safest, and we will do it for a little bit longer at least."
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