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Temporary Closure of Washington County Libraries due to Coronavirus

All eight (8) branches of the Washington County Library System are closed as of today in response to the community spread of COVID-19 (New Coronavirus) in our area. We all should work together to minimize the virus’ impacts and keep the citizens in Washington County safe. No library fines will accrue during this temporary closure.

Other than the senior citizen centers, all other county offices are open and will continue to provide services to Washington County residents and property owners. We strongly encourage the use of on-line resources and communicating with county staff via email and telephone rather than in-person whenever possible. We are constantly monitoring the situation with Dr. David Blodgett, Southwest Utah Public Health Officer, and will continue to make adjustments as necessary.

We encourage area residents to regularly check the Southwest Utah Public Health Department’s New Coronavirus website at www.swuhealth.org/covid and to read the reports regularly released by our health department (www.swuhealth.org/covid-19-report-update). We should all follow the public health recommendations, which currently include the following measures:

  • No gatherings over 10 people,
  • Stay home and away from people if you are over 60 or have an underlying health condition,
  • Work and school should be from home whenever possible,
  • Avoid non-essential travel,
  • Restaurants should offer drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options only,
  • Everyone should practice social distancing: keeping a 6-foot space between people,
  • If someone tests positive for COVID-19, all members of the household should self-isolate for 14 days,
  • If you have traveled (international or domestic) recently you should practice social distancing for 14 days.
  • If you experience symptoms (including fever, cough, and shortness of breath) contact your healthcare provider to ask about testing for COVID-19.

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Declaring a State of Local Emergency — LOCAL DECLARATION NO. 2020-11

LOCAL DECLARATION NO. 2020-11

Declaring a State of Local Emergency in Washington County, Utah
Due to COVID-19 and Authorizing Economic Stabilization Measures

WHEREAS, Washington County in conjunction with Southwest Utah Public Health Department is responding to a worldwide crisis caused by the ongoing outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a new Coronavirus (COVID-19) that was first detected in China in December 2019 and continues to expand in a growing number of countries, including the United States, and is now present in the State of Utah;

WHEREAS, on March 6, 2020, Governor Gary R. Herbert issued an Executive Order declaring a state of emergency due to novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19);

WHEREAS, the Governor’s Executive Order recognizes the need for state and local authorities, and the private sector to cooperate to slow the spread of COVID-19;

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization characterized the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic;

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, President Donald J. Trump declared a National State of Emergency based on the continuing spread of COVID-19;

WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, President Trump and the White House Coronavirus Task Force issued guidelines to help protect Americans during the global COVID-19 outbreak;

WHEREAS, measures have been put in place to prevent the rapid spread of COVID-19 that include closing area schools and Dixie State University, limiting restaurants to take-out meals, and limiting group size to less than 10 individuals;

WHEREAS, these prevention measures are impacting the area economy and especially the area tourism industry.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to Utah Code Annotated Section 53-2a-208, on behalf of the citizens of Washington County, the Washington County Commission declares Washington County to be in a state of “Local Emergency”

BE IT FURTHER DECLARED that all reasonable steps should be taken to stabilize the area’s economy. Three such measures include:

  • Launching a “Stay Greater” Campaign to encourage frequenting area restaurants for take-out meals;
  • Establishing a Small Business Stabilization Loan Program involving county, municipal, private, state, and federal partners to provide low-interest loans to small businesses that are impacted by the COVID-19 prevention measures; and
  • Distributing accurate information regarding COVID-19’s spread and appropriate prevention measures to the area’s population especially those that are most vulnerable and with limited access to media outlets.

VOTED UPON AND PASSED BY THE WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSION AT AN EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSION HELD ON THE 20TH DAY OF MARCH 2020.

Download Official Document:
– Local Declaration No. 2020-11

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Washington County Operations During COVID-19 Crisis — LOCAL DECLARATION NO. 2020-10

LOCAL DECLARATION NO. 2020-10

Regarding the Operation of the Washington County Clerk-Auditor’s Office During the COVID-19 Crisis

WHEREAS, Washington County in conjunction with Southwest Utah Public Health Department is responding to a worldwide crisis caused by the ongoing outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a new Coronavirus (COVID-19) that was first detected in China in December 2019 and continues to expand in a growing number of countries, including the United States, and is now present in the State of Utah;

WHEREAS, on March 6, 2020, Governor Gary R. Herbert issued an Executive Order declaring a state of emergency due to novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19);

WHEREAS, the Governor’s Executive Order recognizes the need for state and local authorities, and the private sector to cooperate to slow the spread of COVID-19;

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization characterized the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic;

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, President Donald J. Trump declared a National State of Emergency based on the continuing spread of COVID-19;

WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, President Trump and the White House Coronavirus Task Force issued guidelines to help protect Americans during the global COVID-19 outbreak;

WHEREAS, other states and counties have taken actions in response to the crisis that severely limit the opportunity for their area residents to receive basic public services and those residents are now coming to Washington County for these services;

WHEREAS, an influx of out-of-area residents to the Washington County Clerk’s Office for marriage license and passports exposes Washington County employees to an increased risk of COVID-19 infection;

THEREFORE, BE IT DECLARED by the chair of the Washington County Commission, Washington County remains open but encourages residents to conduct as much County business as possible through available electronic means and should visit the County website to see online resources made available.

BE IT FURTHER DECLARED by the chair of the Washington County Commission on March 19, 2020, that the Washington County Clerk-Auditor’s Office will only issue marriage licenses or process passport applications if at least one of the applicants for marriage license or passport are either current residents of Washington County or own property in Washington County. No more than 7 people will be allowed into the Clerk-Auditor’s Office at one time and only those directly filling out the paperwork should occupy the office. All others are required to wait outside.

Download Official Document and Press Releases:
– Local Declaration No. 2020-10
– Press Release COVID-19 2020-03-16

Confluence Park hydroelectric power plant

Bid for Confluence Park Field Leveling and Irrigation Project

NOTICE OF BID INVITATION
Washington County
Confluence Park Field Leveling and Irrigation Project

Washington County will receive sealed proposals until 10:00 a.m. local time, Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at the Washington County Commission Office, for Confluence Park Field Leveling and Irrigation.

Visit Public Works to download Bid Documents

This project consists of construction of approx. 32.25 acres of land leveling, 2,920 LF of 8” diameter PVC pipe, 1,960 LF of 6” diameter PVC pipe, 12 6” gate valves, and 12 concrete irrigation outlet boxes may be awarded at the discretion of the Owner.

Bids will be opened publicly at 10:05 a.m., March 25, 2020, at the Washington County Commission Chambers, Administration Building:

111 East Tabernacle
St. George, UT 84770
(Google Maps)

Bid documents may be obtained from Washington County Public Works Department. Please contact Washington County Public Works Deptartment at 435-301-7670 to reserve a printed set of plans and specifications and to get your name on a list for any notifications of bid addenda or clarifications.

The bid will be awarded to the lowest responsible responsive bidder. If, however, the County deems it to be in the best interest of the County, the County reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any informalities or minor defects in any bids, to eliminate entire items, and increase or decrease the quantities shown in the bid form.

Visit Public Works to download Bid Documents