CENTREVILLE – St. Joseph County is taking steps to make sure that employees continue on as normal.

That was the message shared Monday by County Administrator Teresa Doehring during the St. Joseph County Commission meeting. It was a virtual meeting for the Commissioners, who were able to call in or remote in on line to participate. The meeting was an update on how the county stands and what they are doing in response to the COVID-19 situation.

Doehring says all county departments are operating as they normally would, either remotely or with skeleton crews. Some exceptions would be the Sheriff's Department and Central Dispatch and a few other departments around the county.

Doehring says some employees are able to work from home and have chosen to do that. She says that brings up the matter of employees who can't work from home and don't have enough to do. She recommended that the County pay all employees whether they are working or not, as if they are working, until April 13.

Doehring says she is trying to be compassionate to all employees during this difficult time. She also said the Commission could re-visit the matter prior to April 13.

The Commission voted unanimously to approve the recommendation.