In accordance with the directives promulgated by the Ohio Department of Health to minimize the spread of COVID-19 the Marion County Board of Commissioners is consistently monitoring and evaluating the situation. The Commissioners have been conferencing and coordinating with all County offices, Boards and Departments with the purpose of implementing changes to the County's usual business practices to help move the citizens of the County and County Government through this difficult time.
In an effort to protect the citizens and employees of the County with an abundance of caution to help play our part to help slow the spread of COVID-19 the Commissioners are making the following changes to the operation of the County owned buildings:
1 Beginning March 18, 2020, the Marion County Administrative Building, located at 222 West Center Street, Marion, Ohio is closed to the general public, except for the following circumstances:
a. For matters pending and scheduled at Marion County Family Court.
b. For early or absentee voting at the Board of Elections if it is continued by the State. (Board of Elections may be waiting on information from the Secretary of State along with the outcome of current pending litigation)
c. The East Wing of the building will remain open where the drivers exam station, Deputy Registrar, and the Clerk of Courts Title office is located. The fire doors dividing this portion of the building will be closed at all times and access will be made to this area of the building through the northeast entrance.
d. The building will be open for the Commissioners regular meetings on Thursday mornings. Access to the Commissioners hearing room by the public will be made through the north east doors.
e. The south entrance will be locked from the outside.
f. Citizens can contact the various offices within the building to schedule appointments if those items are needed and warranted.
2 100 Executive Drive, home to the Marion County Sheriff, Tim Bailey has already begun to limit public access with help and approval of the two tenants of the building, Marion City Board of Education and META Solutions.
3 The Marion County Courthouse, located at 100 N. Main Street, Marion, Ohio has seen a reduced number of visitors beginning last Friday based on the direction of Common Pleas Court Judge Warren Edwards.
4 The Marion County Prosecutors office located at 134 E. Center Street, has also limited its operations to help protect the public and its staff.
5 The Commissioners will only hold regular meetings on Thursdays beginning March 19, 2020, for the foreseeable future.
6 Further, organizations not part of County government are no longer permitted to utilize the various meeting rooms at 100 Executive Drive and 222 West Center Street.
The Commissioners are aware that the short term difficulties COVID-19 is placing upon all levels of government, the private sector and the citizens. However, although this situation may cause difficulties in all of our lives it is important we all work together to pull through this uncertain time.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact the Marion County Commissioners at 740-223-4001.