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The Butler County Commission met Thursday morning in emergency session and voted to close county offices to the public effective at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 20.

The Commission declared a “State of Emergency” with a unanimous vote declaring that all county offices including the Butler County Courthouse would be closed. The action was done “In an attempt to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, and protect our employees and citizens.” A notice sent out said.

All “non-essential” employees will be off until the county offices reopen on Monday, April 6. The date may be extended by the commission until later if circumstances warrant. Other nearby counties including Lowndes County have done the same. Lowndes County commissioners met at 3 p.m. Thursday to vote in similar measures.

There will be a contact list placed on the doors of the Butler County Courthouse and various county offices with the office number and email address of the various officials.

A resolution passed by the Butler County Commission Thursday said that county employees would continue to be paid during the time the county facilities are closed. It also states that the sheriff’s office, county jail, emergency management, county commission and administration, and road department and engineering departs are providing essential services to the public or support services and shall continue to operate in a limited manner as needed to ensure the safety, welfare and health of the employees and citizens of Butler County.

To read Butler County’s Declaration of Emergency, click HERE and HERE.

For courthouse contact names and numbers, click HERE.