New procedures in place for Sussex County Council

Sussex County Council will hold its regularly scheduled meeting this week, but the session will be condensed and in-person public access will be limited, steps the county government is taking in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Council will shift its meeting to a noon start time March 17, and business discussed during that portion of the meeting will be limited to in-house reports and presentations to the council. No spectators, other than staff, will be permitted in chambers at this time, and no public comment will be received. The public and media, however, may follow the proceedings on the county’s livestream at https://sussexcountyde.gov/council-chamber-broadcast.

A scheduled 1:30 p.m. public hearing on a land-use application filed on behalf of the Indian River School District will continue as planned. However, anyone wishing to comment on the application in person will be subject to a health screening prior to entry, including questionnaire and oral temperature examination, and be admitted to chambers on a one-in-one-out basis.

These steps are intended to safeguard the health and safety of elected officials, staff, and the public at large, and are in accordance with directives given by Delaware public health officials, as well as authority granted to public bodies by Gov. John C. Carney through Proclamation No. 17-3292  Go to https://governor.delaware.gov/proclamation-173292-03132020.

Sussex County Council is not scheduled to return to session until March 31. A decision on any future meetings will be made at a later date and will be based on the latest public health guidance.