Larry Vest, Kendall Jordan and Dan Anderson

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic ,travel restrictions for Tama County employees were eased a bit by the Board of Supervisors during their regular Monday meeting on June 15. The meeting was again conducted with public access provided by telephone.

Tammy Wise, human resources director, told the board federal health regulations have changed somewhat to the previous Infectious Disease Policy adopted earlier by county officials. Under it, almost out-of-state vacation travel was banned for workers. This was lifted Monday, but it was noted department heads still are in charge of allowing employee vacation time.

Under the revised policy, county workers must not report back to work for after returning from other states. Additional guidelines are in place if an employee has had exposure or test positive for COVID-19

“Nobody knows what to expect in the next few months,” Shannon Zoftka, county pubic health and home care executive director said concerning consideration of future policy changes.

Now, appointments may be made with county offices to enter the locked buildings to conduct business with an office. Under the guidelines the person entering will be met at the locked front entrances and escorted to and from the office by an employee.

The exception is the Tama County Courthouse which is open. Access sand operations of it are primarily guided by Supreme Court rules.

In a related COVID-19 matter, supervisors approve purchase of a decontamination system at a cost of $14,000. It will be available to safely and quickly sanitize areas for use which have or may have been exposed to disease.

In other business on Monday the supervisors:

•approved the Master Matrix for a hog confinement operation in Section 21 of Howard Township. Supervisors Dan Anderson and Kendall Jordan said they had inspected the site and found the plans in compliance.

•approved renewal for a three-year contract with Cost Advisory Services at $4,125 annually. The firm provides ongoing analysis of office and building space usage.

•signed renewal of Heartland Insurance coverage.

•approved claims totaling $272,392.