Union County continues emergency orders as COVID-19 diagnoses climb sharply

The Union County Board of Supervisors extended their declaration of an emergency for the coronavirus through the end of May at their monthly meeting Monday. All county offices remain locked with limited personnel and the public is asked to call concerning any business they might have.

Union County Emergency Management Director Curt Clayton said there are indications the curve illustrating COVOD-19 cases may be flattening some statewide, but that is not the case here. “When you go from six or seven cases to 30 in a week and a half, that’s spiking,” he said.

Clayton expressed some frustration that people still are not taking the situation seriously by wearing masks in public and maintaining social distancing. He noted that Wal-Mart has taken some steps disinfecting buggies and creating one-way shopping aisles but that at other businesses such as Lowe’s people were jammed together like sardines.

Clayton was able to say Union County has no shortage of personal protective equipment this week because state officials have begun supplying the hospital separately. He is still responsible for doctors’ offices, clinics, fire, law enforcement and other emergency responders, but not the hospital as he formerly was. “We’re good. There’s no shortage here,” he said.

Clayton said he is still not aware of any plans for widespread coronavirus public testing here. He received an e-mail from state officials asking if we wanted a public testing site but that Baptist Memorial Hospital replied one is not needed here, that they are doing enough testing there.

He reminded the public that the coronavirus can live up to 15 to 20 days on some surfaces in some circumstances. However, the virus is susceptible to being damaged by even a small amount of soap or cleanser, so cleaning and hand-washing should help.

Supervisors continue to practice social distancing while meeting.

The brief supervisors’ meeting again took place in the circuit courtroom with social distancing and a short agenda.

In personnel matters, the board approved the full-time employment of Timothy Upchurch and Hunter Gordon for the road department. Sammy Carrol was promoted to road foreman and assistant receiving clerk. Deputy Circuit Clerk Holly Wilbanks was approved for a longevity raise and Richard Keys was given a raise at the county shop for completing his 90-day period.

The board members approved a resolution asking the state legislature to enact local and private legislation to amend House Bill 991. This would allow Three Rivers Planning and Development District to collect unpaid justice court fines and garbage fees.

Circuit Clerk Phyllis Stanford returned $3,509 to the general fund, representing restitution and other checks that had not been cashed.

She does this about twice a year. Her office sends checks for a variety of reasons but each year some are, for whatever reason, never cashed. After about six months if they have not been cashed they are voided.

Supervisors amended the budget to purchase a camper top for the coroner’s truck at a cost of $2,702, apparently because the old top was not high enough and caused difficulty in loading.

Some inventory deletions from the sheriff’s department were approved, chief of which was a 2012 Dodge Charger. Sheriff Jimmy Edwards said one of the deputies was responding to damage during a recent storm and when he topped a hill a large tree was across the road and he struck it. The deputy was not injured but the car was considered totaled and insurance is reimbursing part of the cost.

Union County Fire Coordinator Butch Cobb reported that county departments responded to 290 calls from January through now. He said the number was down some from usual, which he attributed to the coronavirus pandemic.

He said a few of the departments have applied for Assistance to Firefighters grants, which help with equipment needs and they usually cover 95 percent of the cost.

All county Class A pumpers have been tested and passed, he added, saying the departments are “running pretty good.”

County engineer Larry Britt reported that some money not used on a prior project can be moved forward to the next one. That apparently will be bridge repair or replacement on County Road 46, between Enterprise and Hwy. 355. The road crosses the Tallahatchie River, has several bridges and is in a flood-prone area.

Supervisors also handled routine first-of-the-month business including board minutes, the claims docket, road work schedule and solid waste collection report.

The next board of supervisors meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 18.