Courthouse closed

The Bourbon County Courthouse was closed Tuesday in response to the presidential edict that no more than 10 people should be gathered in one location at a time.

The Center for Disease Control issued a recommendation of limiting group gatherings to no more than 50.

The courthouse has about 37 employees.

“There’s no way our courthouse could stay open and follow those guidelines suggested by the president,” County Counselor Justin Meeks said. “We don’t want people possibly exposed to the coronavirus. The commissioners are taking the edict from the president very seriously.”

Meeks said no county employees have been personally impacted by COVID-19.

Only essential staff will continue to work this week. Those include employees of the sheriff’s office, corrections, emergency management, EMS and the landfill.

Bourbon County Commissioners will reevaluate the situation Monday when they are scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. in executive session.

Courthouse employees who are not working this week will be paid, Meeks said.

Bourbon County Commissioners made the decision Monday following two 15-minute executive sessions to discuss personnel.

Meeks said following the executive session, commissioners discussed the situation for at least a half an hour. Part of that discussion included the impact closing the courthouse would have on district court.

In addition to the employees, Meeks said there are many people who come through the courthouse to attend court on the third floor.

Meeks said Bourbon County is unique. Other counties in the 6th Judicial District have separate buildings for the court system and county offices.

District court will not be held this week. Anyone with questions regarding their cases are encouraged to contact their attorney. Those who do not have an attorney can call the district court on March 24.

He said the reason commissioners held the executive session was to discuss specific employees and their specific duties. He said the commissioners could also have used courthouse security as a reason for the executive session.