Fauth takes preparatory action with Disaster Declaration

At 2 p.m., Monday, March 16, Judge Joe Fauth signed a Declaration of Local Disaster for Public Health Emergency for Grimes County. While signing, Fauth said, “With reservation I sign this because I don’t want to cause more anxiety in the community and the county than is already out there because of Facebook, phone calls or what you heard at the grocery store, or what you can’t buy at the grocery store.”

The possibility of local nesses, county offices and agencies experiencing loss of revenue or incurring extra costs, and “federal dollars making their way to Grimes County,” was a motivating factor behind the Declaration.

Fauth said, “I’m signing it today, because as of today, we are making modification to our daily operation. If there is a cost associated with that, we are documenting all of those costs for extra charges that we may run into so that when those dollars do become available, we are going to be in line just like everybody else. That’s the main reason.”

He continued, “As of 2 p.m., there are no presumptive or confirmed corona virus cases in Grimes County. At this moment, I can in good conscience, say we do not have any.”

Trials suspended

Fauth also met with 12th Judicial Court Judge Don Kraemer and 506th Judicial District Judge Buddy McCaig earlier in the day and all jury trials have been suspended until April 12. According to Fauth, the courts will conduct “only absolutely necessary business.”

In addition, County Court at Law Judge Tuck McLain is following suit but postponing his jury trials until June.

Pct. 3 Justice of the Peace, Judge Mark Laughlin, has postponed a jury trial scheduled for next week and the jury has already been notified.

Fauth said, “If we have a custody case, a family violence case, a child welfare case that absolutely has to be heard, we are going to handle those but the criminal cases, misdemeanor or felony, are going to be put on hold.”

Fauth continued, “We will put forth an agenda for a Special Meeting of Commissioners Court between now and the expiration of this document because any extension must be approved by Commissioners Court.”

Clerks’ offices closed to public

At present, the 8 a.m. Special Meeting of Commissioners Court Wednesday, March 18, to consider an Emergency Services Agreement with CHI St. Joseph will take place as planned.

Fauth said his office will conduct “business as usual,” but both the county and district clerks have closed their offices to the public until further notice. Property searches, requests for birth and death certificates are services that can be handled online or by mail. The county clerk’s office will not, however, be granting marriage licenses.