The Town of Decatur will operate under a state of emergency for the time being due to the outbreak of Covid-19 in Mississippi.
In a special called meeting Tuesday night, Mayor David Marshall told aldermen it was recommended by state officials that the town declare a state of emergency to prepare for Covid-19 cases. The emergency declaration would allow him to send non-essential employees home to help slow the spread of the virus.
“I’m looking for the authority where if it looks like we need to send people home, I can send them home with pay,” he said.
Marshall said many of the town employees would continue working, though their routines would be slightly different. Under the state of emergency, Town Hall will be closed to the public. Residents making payments will be able to drop off deposits through the drop box and contact city employees via telephone.
“Pam and Brenda said they’d be willing to come in multiple times per week and do the deposits and handle anything the police department needs,” he said.
Public Works employees be expected to continue working, however Marshall said he did not want employees hanging around the shop with nothing to do. If there was no work, he said, go home.
Alderman Mark Buntyn said many cities and towns are keeping essential personnel working while sending the rest home. However, he asked whether shutting down Town Hall was the right thing to do.
“Are we creating a panic by shutting down city hall?” he said.
The state of emergency and closure of Town Hall is what was recommended to Decatur by state officials after Gov. Tate Reeves issued his own state of emergency, Marshall said. While it’s not a requirement, it is strongly recommended.
“They’re leaving it up to the municipalities for now, but that’s the suggestion out of Jackson,” he said.
Making the motion to declare the state of emergency, Alderman Phil Sutphin said it would be better to overreact than under react.
“The one thing I’ve heard discussed is you have to take these actions sooner rather than later,” he said. “If you wait until later, it’ll be too late.”
