HERMANN — Gasconade County officials still aren’t clear what expenses will be reimbursed by the federal government in the fight against the coronavirus, but they are hoping the money will cover one potentially large expense — the salaries being paid to county employees sent home to lessen the chance of spreading the virus in the courthouse.

Some money for local governments was included in federal legislation passed and signed recently. However, there was little information available initially about just how that money would be applied to municipal and county governments that are losing large amounts of revenue during the time of stay-at-home orders and business closings. The federal money will be made available as a way to compensate local-government efforts to combat the virus. But unclear is exactly what efforts will be eligible for reimbursement.

That’s why Gasconade County administrators are hoping employee wages will be covered for the time they spend at home. Staffers in the various offices in the Courthouse are sent home on a rotating basis for a week at a time, a move aimed at lessening the spread of the virus among the offices. The staffs of the various administrative offices began the at-home breaks shortly after the local Circuit Court adopted its own  similar work schedule.

At last report, there have been two positive tests in the county for the coronavirus, both in the Owensville area.

County Clerk Lesa Lietzow during Thursday morning’s session of the County Commission noted that the Missouri Association of Counties (MAC) — the organization that represents county governments in the state legislature — advises county officials to thoroughly document all expenses related to the coronavirus.

Gasconade County’s point man in the effort to obtain some of the federal money is Emergency Management Director Dan Dyer. The federal funds will be funneled down through the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), with which Dyer in regular contact.

If the employees’ pay is not deemed to be reimbursable, the amount of money coming to Gasconade County might prove minuscule. Other than the purchase of some hand sanitizer and gloves, additional expenses aren’t readily evident. Considering steps that have been taken by larger local governments throughout the nation that no doubt will be applying for a share of the federal money, the likelihood of any significant amount remaining available for smaller governments seems remote.

Meanwhile, Presiding Commissioner Larry Miskel, R-Hermann, again urged residents to follow the safety guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus even as the Gasconade County Health Department’s stay-at-home order was being lifted. The health agency’s order was canceled last week, but Gasconade County residents still are covered by the statewide stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Mike Parson two weeks ago — one of the remaining few governors to issue such an order.

Initially put in place through the end of April, Parson last week extended the order through May 3.

Miskel used the occasion of the health agency’s announcement to again note the Commission’s support of the Health Department’s order — a move that some county residents have criticized as an overreach by the agency.

“I’m still getting emails” regarding the action, Miskel said.

The presiding commissioner also has been viewed by some as being at odds with local health officials, based on a comment he made just  before the health agency’s stay-at-home order was issued. Citing the rural nature and sparse population of Gasconade County, Miskel said he was strongly opposed to a local stay-at-home order, preferring a statewide mandate instead.

He softened his comments after the health agency issued its order. At a Commission session, Miskel recommended the public adhere to the guidelines contained in the order. Last week he brushed aside claims he was at odds with the health agency.

“We just had a difference of opinion on the inception date” of the stay-at-home order, Miskel said, going on to praise the work of Health Department Administrator Greg Lara and his staff.

“They’re doing a heck of a job and they’ve had some hard decisions to make,” the top county administrator said. “We always take safety into consideration,” he added.