FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2020
BUTTE COUNTY IMPLEMENTS BOARD MEETING CHANGES BASED ON GUIDANCE FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
OROVILLE, Calif.-- Based on guidance from the California Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Governor’s Executive Order, Butte County Chief Administrative Officer, Shari McCracken, announced certain changes to the March 24 and April 14, 2020 Butte County Board of Supervisors Meetings. The purpose of the changes is to protect public health and slow the rate of transmission of COVID-19, using methods that have proven effective in prior pandemics. The changes are as follows:
- For the March 24 and April 14, 2020 Butte County Board of Supervisors Meetings, the only agenda items that will be included are items essential to operations of the County; items necessary to meet statutory timelines; items in support of emergency response and recovery, such as Camp Fire Recovery and COVID-19 response; and some ceremonial resolutions, though recipients will be encouraged not to attend.
- Every two seats in the public section of the Board Chambers will be taped off to allow for some social distancing.
- Members of the public are encouraged to submit comments via e-comments or e-mail instead of in-person.
Efforts are being made to identify a location for remote public viewing and participation in Board Meetings, per the Governor’s Executive Order and waiver of certain Brown Act requirements. Butte County Officials are also looking at technological tools that will allow the public to provide verbal comment during Board Meetings from a remote location. The goal is to have the option in place by the April 28, 2020 Board Meeting. “These actions have been taken based on expert guidance, with the health of our community in mind,” said Butte County Board of Supervisors Chair Steve Lambert. This is a very fluid situation and Butte County will abide by guidance provided by the Butte County Health Officer, as well as State and federal guidance.
###