The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors approved an update of their COVID-19 Leave Policy at Tuesday’s electronic meeting.

Human Resources Director Pam Lane informed the Board the update includes language from the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that was signed by President Donald Trump, which provides two weeks of paid leave for COVID-19 circumstances. The County’s policy had previously given employees the option of using approved paid sick leave or not using approved sick leave. Lane mentions the federal law stipulates employees being paid two-thirds of their normal rate if they fall under certain guidelines. After researching how other counties are handling it Lane recommended the Board approve the addition of the Familie First language but stating employees get paid at their full rate, which they approved.

The Board also approved awarding contracts for grounds and roadside mowing, a noxious weeds resolution, and no spray request form for the Secondary Roads Department, designated the Bayard News Gazette and the Guthrie County Times Vedette as the County’s official newspapers on a 4-1 vote, approved fiscal year 2021 appropriations at 50 percent for July 1st, and approved the Budget and adoption of tax rates. They were approved on a 3-2 vote for $3.80 for general basic, about $1.89 for general supplemental, about $.32 for mental health, and $3.25 for rural service for $1,000 of valuated property.