COVID-19 Updates
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Mayor's Reopening Message 4 May 2020
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One Idaho Campaign Video
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Doctor's Orders (Video PSA)
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Mayor's Message to Citizens 30 March 2020
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City Services Updates
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Mayor Sykes addresses Gov. Little's statewide stay-home order
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Col. Goodman COVID-19 Update 30 March 2020
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Stay Home Order, FAQs and Essential Services List
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Helpful Links
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Related News Links
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Elmore County Resolutions
Mayor's Reopening Message 4 May 2020
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Mountain Home,
As you know, Gov. Little and his team have determined that it is time to begin restarting the state’s economy by allowing some types of businesses and organizations begin resuming operations under certain conditions. I want to give you an update on how the City of Mountain Home will address these issues.
First, I want to acknowledge that I realize everyone wants to get back to our old normal as soon as possible. My wife Kim and I are with you. We understand how important it is for our economy to get businesses’ doors open and to get unemployed or furloughed workers back in the saddle.
However, I also want to add a word of caution to that. It’s equally important for all of us as individuals to continue to observe social distancing and personal hygiene guidelines as we show our support, and it’s critical that those businesses opening their doors are doing everything they can to protect their employees and their clients. Not only is it important for those in the room at any given time, it is important to all those businesses and organizations waiting their turn to open.
If we see a spike in severe cases because we’re not taking proper precautions, our local economy, businesses, and workers may suffer even more. Such a spike could delay the implementation of one of the governor’s four planned stages, or even result in taking a step backward from one stage to a previous stage. So please, everyone, continue to think and act with caution and consideration for yourselves, for your relatives and neighbors, and for your town. We must approach this opportunity carefully and responsibly to ensure we are able to continue moving steadily forward together.
During Monday’s Special City Council Meeting we heard testimony from three of our community’s healthcare experts. After listening to their statements and asking additional questions, the Council voted to support and adopt the governor’s 4-stage plan for reopening the economy. We are currently in stage one. What this means is that retailers, churches, daycares, and youth clubs may resume operations provided they are able to adhere to guidelines provided by the state. We should still be avoiding all unnecessary travel, staying at least 6 feet from people who don’t live with us, and avoiding large gatherings. We hope to see residents being able to enjoy restaurant dining rooms, gyms and salon services in just a couple of weeks if all goes well.
In the meantime, I am also encouraging everyone to extend your kindness and understanding to your fellow residents and businesses. Many of us have differing opinions about the best way to navigate the path forward, and while I have always encouraged healthy public discourse, I also think it Is important that we address our differences in the most civil and thoughtful manner possible. One of the best descriptions I’ve heard of this crisis recently is that “We are all in the same storm, but we are not all in the same boat.” What this means to me is that everyone has their own unique set of circumstances and must make the best decisions they can with the knowledge and tools they have available to them. The decisions you make might not be the ones I would make for myself or my family, but it might still very well be the best decision for you and yours.
Finally, I want to reiterate our commitment to help in any way we can. If you need food, email us at food@mountain-home.us. Even if you have already received groceries through this program, you can get more. We have a healthy stockpile of frozen and non-perishable grocery items waiting. Your neighbors and friends have been generous in their donations, and many have pledged to keep on helping as long as they are able.
Stay safe and stay #MountainHomeStrong,
Mayor Rich Sykes
One Idaho Campaign Video
Back to TopDoctor's Orders (Video PSA)
Back to TopMayor's Message to Citizens 30 March 2020
Back to TopCity Services Updates
Back to TopTo help minimize the risk of COVID-19 (coronavirus), the City is taking precautionary measures. We will continue to monitor this situation and will share updates if and when they are received.
The health and well‐being of the Citizens and Employees of the City of Mountain Home are very important and we recommend following the guidelines being sent forward by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Idaho Central Health District. We are also monitoring the newly created Idaho Coronavirus website at https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/
Based on the facts and information we have currently, we recommend everyone follow the protocols and best practices set forth by the CDC. www.cdc.gov
The following information regarding city services and amenities will be updated as the situation develops:
City Hall
City Hall is now open to the public. However, we encourage customers who normally pay their water bill in person to take advantage of the opportunity to pay online on the city website, call in your payment here at City Hall, use the drop box outside City Hall, or pay by mailing your check to:
City of Mountain Home
P.O. Box 10
160 South 3rd East
Mountain Home, ID 83647
City Council meetings will continue on the normal schedule of the second and fourth Monday of each month at 6 p.m. While residents may participate in person, we continue to encourage citizens to make comments or statements in advance by using the drop box outside City Hall, email to npatterson@mountain-home.us, or mail to City Hall. All input received via these methods will still be taken into the same consideration as any in-person statement. Anyone can view City Council meetings from the safety of your home on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW2gUP3g9RC1ZuNcDNAKb6g
Public Works
The public utilities in the City will run as normal. Our water and wastewater operators are committed to making sure that services are not disrupted in this time of general public concern. The citizens of Mountain Home can be reassured that they will have safe, clean water to drink and use and that it will continue to be treated at our wastewater facility.
The Water Department currently has had five (5) wells in operation during the winter months. Three (3) of those wells have generators in case of power failures to keep the supply of water to the city. The City also has over five million (5,000,000) gallons of storage capacity. As the weather continues to get nicer, the City’s other four (4) wells will be brought online to supply water for consumption and irrigation during the spring and summer.
The Wastewater Department is asking citizens not to flush anything other than toilet paper, because anything else can get caught in your wastewater service and back up into you home. The operators monitor flows in the wastewater mains to ensure it gets to the headworks for treatment.
The Street Department will continue operations as normal. The street sweepers will continue normal routes and road maintenance will continue as planned.
Development Services
Development Services will continue to operate on our normal schedule (M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.).
Inspections can be scheduled by phone by calling (208) 580-2091.
All permit applications are available online at /development-services-department/#resources. Applications can be printed, filled out, scanned and emailed to Brenda Ellis at bellis@mountain-home.us.
Economic Development
The Economic Development Office is working closely with government and local economic development agencies and resources to provide assistance to business owners.
The Economic Development Office has created a COVID-19 Business Toolkit with resources and suggestions on how to remain resilient and agile during the coming weeks.
We are also working to reschedule in-person small business training opportunities and provide this training online during the social distancing period.
Mountain Home Police Department
Due to the fact that the Mountain Home School District has suspended school and school activities, effective March 17, 2020, the School Resource Officers will be transferred to a patrol shift.
Uniformed Patrol Officers will be assigned to close patrol local retail establishments immediately preceding and following opening times as well as, in some cases, closing times to increase presence and deter criminal activity.
The Mountain Home Police Department will be accepting telephone reports from those members of the public that prefer not to have personal contact with the officers. A non-emergency police report hotline is being established with a voice mailbox that will be monitored by patrol supervisors. Details on the telephone number and extension should be available March 17, 2020.
Mountain Home Fire Department
Mountain Home Fire Department will limit in-person training or meetings to those essential for safe and effective operations.
We encourage those seeking burn permits to complete the process online. Required permit forms and instructions can be found on the fire department’s page of the City website.
General precautions will include frequent cleaning and disinfecting of often-touched surfaces in the department, maintaining the recommended six-foot distance when interacting with people, and recommending that any firefighter or staff member experiencing any illness remain at home.
Individual firefighter precautions will include:
- Disinfecting SCBA masks after every use
- Use of respiratory masks whenever necessary
- Regular cleaning/decontamination of all personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Limiting the number of firefighters entering any area that may be infected
Mountain Home Public Library
As the State of Idaho moves into Stage 4 of the Governor’s Rebound Idaho phased reopening plan, the Mountain Home Public Library plans to increase library access starting June 15th. To help reduce the risk of exposure to the SARS COVID-19 virus, we are implementing several changes to library services.
Stage 4 Phased Reopening – Increased Library Access
June 15th – June 27th
Monday – Friday; 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Access to the building will not be limited to a set number of people.
- Access to card catalog and self check out services will be open.
- Access to physically browsing stacks will be available during Stage 4.
- Inter-Library Loan requests will resume. Availability will vary on lending library.
- Public computer access is limited to 1 hour per day per person. No time extensions. No appointment needed.
- Returns through the outside book drop only during Stage 4.
- No library donations will be taken at this time but The Friends of the Library Book Store will open for purchases.
- The Conference room is closed for meetings during Stage 4.
- The curbside pickup service will continue to assist in reducing the number of people in the Library at one time.
- Library staff will be encouraged to wear masks and gloves for their safety. The public is encouraged to do as well.
Parks and Recreation
Updated information about programming and events can be found here.
Mayor Sykes addresses Gov. Little's statewide stay-home order
Back to TopCol. Goodman COVID-19 Update 30 March 2020
Back to TopStay Home Order, FAQs and Essential Services List
Back to TopHelpful Links
Back to TopOfficial State of Idaho Resources for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): Current information regarding coronavirus cases in Idaho, Governor's updates and FAQs – https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/
Coronavirus Guidelines for America: The White House Coronavirus Task Force issued guidelines – 15 Days to Slow the Spread (Español)– to help protect all Americans during the global Coronavirus outbreak. Even if you are young and otherwise healthy, you are at risk—and your activities can increase the risk of contracting the Coronavirus for others. Everyone can do their part. The recommendations are simple to follow but will have a resounding impact on public health. Find the guidelines here:
Up-To-Date Information: The most up-to-date, verified information and guidance can be found via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus Disease 2019 website – www.coronavirus.gov. The Coronavirus Task Force holds frequent briefings, which can be viewed live here.
COVID-19 Response and Recovery Primer: Response and recovery efforts are locally executed, state managed, and federally supported. It is important that requests for assistance, including for critical supplies, get routed through the proper channels as soon as possible. Learn more about the response and recovery process via this important resource – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Response and Recovery Through Federal-State-Local-Tribal Partnership. FEMA’s public assistance guidance for COVID-19 response efforts can be found here.
Critical Infrastructure Workforce Guidelines: On March 16th, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued updated critical infrastructure guidance in response to the COVID-19 emergency. The guidance, and accompanying list, is intended to help State, local, tribal and territorial officials as they work to protect their communities, while ensuring continuity of functions critical to public health and safety, as well as economic and national security. The list is advisory in nature and is not a federal directive or standard. More here.
Coronavirus Fact vs. Myth: Rumors can easily circulate within communities during a crisis. FEMA setup a website to help the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Fraud & Scam Protection: The Department of Justice is remaining vigilant in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting wrongdoing related to the crisis. Find out how you can protect yourself and helpful resources on DOJ’s Coronavirus Fraud Prevention website. The Federal Trade Commission has also established a website with helpful information to help consumers avoid coronavirus-related scams.
Social Media Resources: Download the Apple COVID-19 Screening Tool. Follow the White House on Twitter and Facebook. Also follow HHS (Twitter/Facebook) and CDC (Twitter/Facebook) You can also find informational videos from Coronavirus Task Force members on mitigation, social distancing, etc. on the White House’s YouTube page.
Mental Health Resources: Natural disasters – including such pandemics as the coronavirus outbreak – can be overwhelming and also can seriously affect emotional health. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline – 1-800-985-5990 (or text TalkWithUs to 66746) – provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to anyone who is seeking help in coping with the mental or emotional effects caused by developments related to the coronavirus pandemic. Learn more about the Disaster Distress Helpline here.
Administration Actions and Federal Agency Resources: USA.gov is cataloging all U.S. government activities related to coronavirus. From actions on health and safety to travel, immigration, and transportation to education, find pertinent actions here. Each Federal Agency has also established a dedicated coronavirus website, where you can find important information and guidance. They include: Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers of Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Education (DoED), Department of Agriculture (USDA), Small Business Administration (SBA), Department of Labor (DOL), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of State (DOS), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of the Interior (DOI), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Commerce (DOC), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of the Treasury (USDT), Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), and U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC).
Related News Links
Back to TopGov. Little calls on National Guard to help in pandemic response as Idaho rolls back to modified Stage 2
Additional establishments identified as potential COVID-19 exposure locations; illness cluster involving downtown Boise bar-goers increases
SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Advance Program Reopened to All Eligible Small Businesses and Non-Profits Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic