Government : Benton County, including campgrounds will remain closed until further notice

The Benton County Supervisors met on Tuesday morning. As part of their meeting, they discussed the reopening of campgrounds as a result of the Governor's orders.

At this time, they will remain closed. The parks have received multiple calls concerning camping from as far away as Missouri. Based on the recommendation of the Benton County Health Department, Benton County facilities will be closed until further notice.

The Supervisors looked at area COVID numbers and while Benton County, numbers are relatively low, as Supervisor Rick Primmer pointed out, "we're an island in the middle" of all the other larger case numbers in the area. The consensus was that with other campgrounds closed in the area with the exception of Linn County, the Supervisors felt they would be putting the county at risk bringing in people from other counties and from out of state, While they might come here to camp they would also be doing business in town where there would be more exposure to the town.

Karen Phelps, Director of Benton County Conservation, had planned to open up at a Level 1, with all of the state restrictions before the Memorial Day weekend, which kicks off the camping season. Those regulations include no visitors, self-contained restrooms, no cabin rentals, bathrooms and showers would be locked, as well as recommending using masks. She had been planning to open on Friday at 8:00 a.m. Shelters are closed. "We're surrounded with the exception of Linn County by closed campgrounds." Primmer said.

Benton County Sheriff, Ron Tippett gave a report stating that nearly 8,000 have been tested in this county according to which is close to 1/3 of the county. There was some discussion as to whether that was reflecting those actually tested or who had filled out an assessment and were also cleared not needing to be tested.

Tippett also gave an update of the PPE (personal protection equipment) situation and said that right now there are plenty of supplies and a small stockpile available, explaining that should there be an outbreak, the supply would dwindle quickly because of the extra necessary precautions that would need to be taken. He reported that at this point there have been 35 cases in the county of which 20 have recovered. Tippett stated, he feels there is "no reason to hurry into reopening, we should try to keep things the way they are." We do not have the necessary supplies at this time if there were an outbreak in an area facility.

As far as inmates are concerned, prisons are not taking inmates so the county jails are now holding anyone needing to transfer, being reimbursed by the state. Tippett said he plans to operate the jail 2 or 3 weeks behind the recommendation of the state as a precaution. If the numbers would then rise inside the jail and nowhere else, they would know there was something happening inside and not outside,

As for vehicles who needed renewal from January through May the Governor has extended renewal for owners who have until the end of July to renew. Drivers licenses can be renewed online and young drivers who need an upgraded license can also to that online. Older people who have expired licenses also have a grace period to renew according to Treasurer Melinda Schoettmer.

To watch the meeting you can click here.