The Starke County Commissioners approved the use of stimulus funding to pay invoices for personal protective equipment (PPE) purchased by the Starke County EMS Department and the Starke County Health Department.
Auditor Rachel Oesterreich said about $4,000 will be spent out of the $41,000 received for COVID-19 response. More PPE is expected to be purchased with those funds.
The commissioners discussed using some of the money to give hazard pay to essential employees who came into work during the stay-at-home order, but Health Nurse Frank Lynch suggested holding off on that in case there is a COVID-19 surge and money needs to be appropriated toward response efforts. The commissioners agreed with that and will pick up the discussion later on in the year.
Many county employees returned to work this week with others returning as the month progresses. The county buildings remain closed to the public at this time. Department heads will take appointments beginning Tuesday, May 26. The buildings may open to the public in June, but a date has not yet been set.
