County offices to return to full staff

While access to the Putnam County Courthouse will remain limited, all county offices are set to return to full staffing levels as of Wednesday, May 20.

The Putnam County Commissioners voted Monday morning to return all county offices to full staffing levels going forward.

“I feel like we leave courthouse access the way it is -- appointment only, open Friday 11-2 -- but we bring employees back to work,” Commissioner Rick Woodall said.

Fellow commissioners David Berry and Don Walton agreed, voting 3-0 to move forward with the plan.

Since March 24, plans had been in place to have county workers either working remotely or in person with reduced staffing levels.

While the courthouse has been open, it has been by appointment only or with limited access from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Fridays only.

These points will not change, with courthouse security officers continuing to screen those who enter the building.

As of Wednesday, though, the offices will be at full staff.

In doing so, the county is following the lead of the court system, which resumed in Putnam County on Monday, with County Attorney Jim Ensley pointing out that a full slate of in-person initial hearings were slated for Tuesday.

While they are trying to get things back to something resembling “normal,” the commissioners are also strongly encouraging the use of masks while out in public and at the courthouse, as well as the continued practice of social distancing.

There will be masks available at the courthouse to employees and the general public on site to conduct business.

It should be noted that more than 25 people attempted to attend Monday’s commissioners’ meeting in person. In order to avoid a larger-than-allowed gathering, some waited outside the meeting room until those on the earlier part of the agenda departed.