Most Bartholomew County employees are remaining at home through Dec. 7, while at the same time continue to perform and provide essential government functions. That’s according to announcements made last week, as well as a resolution approved Monday by the Bartholomew County commissioners.
But in recent days, some public concern has surfaced that if county workers are not in their offices, and taxpayers are paying those employees for working at home, how can the needs of residents who need their services be met?
In response, Bartholomew County commissioners chairman Carl Lienhoop said all county offices are still capable of answering questions by phone, email or text this week, as well as taking care of paperwork.
A number of departmental telephones are set to automatically transfer incoming calls to a staff member at home, Lienhoop said. Others will receive a voice mail message that provides a cell phone number for reaching someone capable of assisting the caller, he said.
Although all county buildings are closed to the public, there are still essential services employees working in their offices this week. They include some health department personnel, law enforcement, jail, the county commissioners and code enforcement, according to county administrator Tina Douglas. In addition, judges are conducting a small number of essential hearings this week, Douglas said.
The resolution approved Monday by the commissioners recognizes that while certain county employees may end up working normal or extended hours, other workers may only be asked to put in reduced hours — or not work at all this week, Lienhoop said. However, all full-time county employees will be paid 100% of their regular rate of pay this week, the resolution states.
From Dec. 7 through Jan. 4, county buildings will be closed to the public, although offices are to be open and available to the public by phone, e-mail or appointment only, the resolution states. Many county employees — especially those at the courthouse — will be asked to work rotating shifts in order to lower the number of people in one room at one time, Lienhoop said.
But since all workers will continue to be paid, every employee will be expected to do their job either at their workplace or from home if possible, the resolution states.
Lienhoop says the document wasn’t created to provide anyone additional paid vacation time.It was county attorney Grant Tucker’s concern about potential ghost employment that led to the document being drawn up, Lienhoop said. The resolution specifically states that those who put in a partial work week — or no work at all — can do so only at the direction of their department head or an elected official.
There was another consideration, according to county Auditor Pia O’Connor. Employees in a number of county offices have already been placed on quarantine, she said.
“It’s a pandemic,” O’Connor said. “We are doing some things that are not typical to keep the public and our employees safe.”
However, the county auditor insisted all employees can do something work-related this week, even if they are unable to connect to the county’s computer network.
Lienhoop admits this week’s work arrangement is not fair to all employees. As it did in March, the pandemic created many disagreements in local government — just as it has in many homes, Lienhoop said. Under normal circumstances, the commissioners chairman said he would not have agreed to this week’s work arrangement.
However, the county commissioners had to consider several factors, Lienhoop said, that include:
Knowledge that employees in some county offices either have COVID-19 or are being quarantined while awaiting test results.
An expectation that some employees would let their guard down during family gatherings on Thanksgiving.
National and state predictions of a significant surge in COVID-19 cases after the Thanksgiving holidays.
But on a personal level, the situation hit home after a county official who works closely with the commissioners told them he was extremely frightened of picking up the virus and taking it home, where it could compromise the life of his wife who is already fighting health issues.
“It gave us a different, more personal outlook on these issues,” Lienhoop said. “That also provides some insight into why we have been willing to do this kind of thing.”
Lienhoop said any additional costs associated with this week would probably pale in comparison to the cost of a widespread outbreak of COVID-19 among over 400 county workers.
Unless something unusual involving COVID-19 occurs that demands county intervention, federal money available through the federal CARES Act will not be used for payroll purposes, Lienhoop said. It will come from salaries already included in the county budget, he said.
