Reno Commission supports continued mask mandate, limited gathering sizes
The split votes came after nearly 90 minutes of public comment and commission debate.
The health order keeps limits of 10 people in place on private gatherings, with exceptions, and asks residents to respect businesses that follow the state mask mandate.
Interim Commissioner Dr. Mark Steffen, suggesting it was a compromise, attempted to amend the health order to include opting out of the governor’s mask mandate, but his motion failed 1-2.
Commissioner Ron Hirst then made a motion to support the local health order, which was approved 2-1.
Steffen then made a separate motion to opt-out of the governor’s mask mandate, which also failed 1-2.
Reno County Commissioner Ron Hirst indicated Tuesday he wants to opt the county out of the state’s mask ordinance and he likely has the support of interim Commissioner Mark Steffen.
Steffen, for his part, however, indicated he’d prefer to rescind altogether a county health order that also sets maximum group gathering sizes at 10, though with many exceptions.
The current health order expires on Friday. Reno County Health Officer Karen Hammersmith told the commission Tuesday she plans to issue a new order on that date, to remain in place for another month.
Emergency Management Director Adam Weishaar also advised the commission he ll bring a proposed emergency declaration extension to the board next week, asking to extend it until Commissioner-elect Daniel Friesen takes his seat on the board in January.