County facilities remain closed

RITZVILLE — Due to the coronavirus quarantine, Adams County commissioners have extended the closure of the courthouse and other facilities to public, non-emergency visits until at least June 1.

The extension came during their Monday, May 18 meeting. It extends a previous county extension from April 28.

“This is deemed effective May 18 to June 1, or until further order of the board of county commissioners,” Chairman Roger Hartwig said, noting commissioners are considering hiring a company to take the temperatures of visitors at the door when facilities reopen.

Commissioners also opened a public hearing on a proposed ordinance to authorize a sales and use tax for affordable and supportive housing under Substitute House Bill 1406.

Nobody testified.

“This tax has been in place, but no one has used it or asked for it,” Hartwig said. “So, this is an opportunity for us to use it to support low-cost housing.”

The maximum that can be collected is about $14,525 per year, he said.

Prosecuting Attorney Randy Flyckt said if the ordinance was not passed, the money would be returned to the state.