City declares state of emergency
Latest update from county offices outlines schedules
Clinton Mayor Scott Burton and City Manager Roger Houck have signed a City of Clinton Declaration Of Emergency.
The announcement was made Tuesday morning, March 24.
A copy of the official and complete document is available for download, but here are a few highlights:
“Roger Houck, City Manager of the City of Clinton, and Scott Burton, Mayor of the City of Clinton, by virtue of the power and authority vested in them by all applicable laws, including T.C.A. §58-2-110 and §38-9-101, et seq., do hereby declare a civil emergency and a local state of emergency within the City and order the following:
“The City’s residents, businesses, and organizations shall follow the State of Tennessee Governor’s Executive Order No. 17 issued on March 22, 2020.”
That executive order asks citizens to work from home whenever possible; avoid gatherings of more than 10 people; allows restaurants to do delivery, curb side, and take out business only; asks citizens to avoid “discretionary” travel and social visits; avoid visits to nursing homes, retirement homes, or long-term-care facilities; avoid close contact with people, especially those who are sick; and practice good personal hygiene.
City approved events, facilities, athletic fields, and public restrooms are canceled and closed to the public until further notice. Facility closures and availability of city services will be shared with the public though the city website and other means as deemed appropriate by the city manager.
Houck will report to members of Clinton City Council on a weekly basis.
The state of emergency is set for a period “not to exceed seven days,” but can be extended in seven-day increments as deemed necessary.
The declaration encourages the citizens of Clinton to “continue to engage in the healthy and essential activities of daily life while adhering to the health and safety measures” outlined by the State of Tennessee Executive Order No. 17.
COUNTY OFFICES
Anderson County government says it is continuing to provide services to its citizens, but doing so with necessary precautions in place to protect its employees and the citizens it serves.
The following changes have been made at county offices:
• Effective March 24 through April 4, the Anderson County Property Assessor’s office will be closed for in-person, walk-in counter service. The office will remain open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to assist with phone and online questions. Call (865) 457-6225 or (865) 457-6219, visit online at acassessor.com, e-mail Assessor John Alley Jr. at john.alley@cot.tn.gov, fax (865) 264-6266, by U.S. mail: 100 N. Main St., Room 202, Clinton, TN 37716.
• Effective through Monday, April 6, all three office locations for the Anderson County Clerk will be closed to in-person transactions. Many services can be completed online at andersoncountyclerk.com. Visit the County Clerk’s drive-through services – for renewals only – in Clinton (beneath the parking deck at the Robert Jolley Building adjacent to the Courthouse), and Oak Ridge. A self-service kiosk is also available 24/7 at the Oak Ridge office, 728C Emory Valley Road. Accepted payment there is in the form of debit and credit cards only. Online vehicle tag renewals can be completed at tncountyclerk.com or andersoncountyclerk.com. For assistance by telephone, call (865) 457-6226, 483-0541, or 494-0172. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. U.S. mail is available at 100 N. Main St., Room 111, Clinton, TN 37716.
• Effective through Monday, April 6, the Anderson County Trustee’s Office will be closed to in-person business. Most of the services provided by the Trustee’s Office can be handled via the drive-through locations at the Jolley Building in Clinton, and at the Emory Valley Road office. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visit online at andersoncountytrustee.com. Call (865) 457-6233 or (865) 483-7999, fax (865) 264-6247. E-mail rcopeland@actrustee.com or jwilliford@actrustee.com. Mail can be sent to 100 N. Main St., Suite 203, Clinton, TN 37716.
• Anderson County Register of Deeds Tim Shelton has closed his office to in-person business through Friday, March 27. To take care of business with his office, visit online at andersondeeds.com or call (865) 457-6235.
The public is strongly encouraged to call their government office for the assistance they need instead of person-to-person visits at the Courthouse. Most needs can be met electronically, via fax or by telephone. Citizens are strongly encouraged to limit their visits to the Courthouse. It is extremely important that citizens who are sick and in need of assistance remain at home and call for assistance.
Other county government offices have updated their operating procedures as follows:
• District Attorney General – The office is open. However, face-to-face communication has been suspended.
• Animal Care & Control – The department is operating with limited staffing. But, Animal Care & Control calls still will be answered. Volunteer group visitation is limited. Please call (865) 441-2068 for direction on volunteers.
• Buildings & Grounds – The team has increased cleaning/sanitizing protocols for county facilities. Calls for ADA assistance are still being answered.
• CASA – While this is not a government office, it is located inside the Courthouse. Hours have been limited and citizens are encouraged to call (865) 463-6888.
• County Commission office – open; Citizens are encouraged to call (865) 463-6866 to see if their needs may be handled by phone or electronically.
• Judges & Courts – The judges are conducting in-person court hearings as per the order -- tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/docs/covid-19_order.pdf -- that came down from the Tennessee Supreme Court last week, to ensure the rights of persons as set forth in the order. Jurors should continue to call the jury line as instructed at the recent orientation and as noted in their panel packet. The courts will continue to update information regarding jury trials on a regular basis.
• Circuit Court Clerk - The Circuit/Criminal, General Sessions Divisions I and II and Juvenile Clerk’s offices are open and operating on a normal business schedule. The offices are operating with a full staff at this time who are there to answer emails and phone calls in a timely manner. Attorneys and the general public are encouraged to utilize electronic or telephonic means of communication with the offices as much as possible to reduce the in-person contact at this time. People who need to pay their court fees and fines are encouraged to make payments electronically thru the website at andersoncountycircuitcourt.com or by calling our offices during business hours, as we accept payments via telephone.
• Archives & Records – open; call in advance to see if your request can be handled electronically or via mail. (865) 457-6242
• Clerk & Master’s office – The Tennessee Supreme Court has notified judges that the suspension of in-court hearings has been extended to May 1. Orders of protection will be heard, and will be done so in a manner to minimize the number of persons in the courtroom and the Courthouse hallways.
• Law Director – open; Citizens are encouraged to call and see if assistance can be handled via phone, fax or electronically. Citizens requiring in-person meetings are encouraged to call in advance for an appointment. (865) 457-6290
• Election Commission – Call (865) 457-6238.
• EMS – Open and fully operational
• Health Department – open. Call (865) 425-8800.
•For the safety of citizens and employees, the county’s Human Resources Office strongly encourages everyone to call (865-264-6300) or e-mail andersoncountyhr@andersontn.org to see if assistance can be handled via phone or electronically. Group employee meetings have been postponed. Risk management notifications are being communicated to department heads regularly. CDC recommendations have been posted throughout the Courthouse and electronically distributed to staff.
• Dental clinics -- open for emergency care only. Routine care suspended. Call (865) 425-8803 or (865) 294-5977 (leave a message)
• Highway Department – open; however, citizens and delivery personnel should look for signs that indicate the proper entrances. Guidance is posted at the entrances.
• Public Libraries – closed to the public, effective March 21. However, the Clinton Public Library (865-457-0519), the Rocky Top Public Library (865-426-6762), and the Briceville Public Library (865-426-6220) are offering no-contact curbside pickup during regular operating hours. To learn more, visit the websites clintonpubliclibrary.org, www.rockytoppubliclibrary.com, or e-mail bricevillepubliclibrary@comcast.net.
• Office on Aging & Senior Center – Office on Aging services are being provided on a one-on-one basis. Clients are encouraged to call in advance for an appointment. Facilities and events are canceled. At this time, the Senior Center is offering meals that can be picked up via a drive-through process, or delivered. Call (865) 457-3259. Still providing some medical supplies, and providing Second Harvest food once a week.
· Solid Waste – Convenience centers and the county recycling center are open.
• Veterans Service Office – Citizens are encouraged to call (865) 457-6803 and see if assistance can be handled via phone, fax or electronically.
Citizens requiring in-person assistance are strongly encouraged to call in advance for an appointment.
