New guidelines for county meetings

COLFAX — Whitman County commissioners met for their regular meeting in-person on Tuesday for the first time since Tom Handy took office in January.

The occasion was brought about by lessened meeting restrictions from the governor’s office regarding COVID-19.

Mark Storey, public works director, asked about county planning commission meetings and those for the board of adjustment.

Commissioner Art Swannack said the groups may meet in person, as long as a virtual component is offered.

“I wanted to be sure because I work for you guys, not the governor,” said Storey.

“For in-person, if you come in not wearing a mask, we’ll assume you’ve been vaccinated,” Swannack said. “We’ll trust people to wear a mask if they haven’t been.”