Summary of Executive orders 50, 51 and 52

Executive Order No. 50
Executive Order No. 50 extends previous provisions that:

• Urge Tennesseans to continue limiting activity and staying home where possible, as well as following health guidelines and maintaining social distancing;
• Urge persons to wear a cloth face covering in places where in close proximity to others;
• Urge employers to allow or require remote work/telework if possible;
• Provide that persons with COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms are required to stay at home, and that employers may not require or allow employees with COVID-19 to work;
• Limit social and recreational gatherings of 50 or more persons, unless adequate social distancing can be maintained (the 6 counties with locally run county health departments may issue different directives on gatherings)
• This does not apply to places of worship, for which there are guidelines for safe operation of worship services and gatherings, though places of worship are urged to continue virtual or online services where possible;
• continue virtual or online services where possible; This does not apply to weddings, funerals, and related events, but encourages postponement of large-gathering components of such events;
• Limit contact sports with a requirement or substantial likelihood of routine close contact
• This does not apply to collegiate or professional sports conducted under the rules or guidelines of their respective governing bodies and does not prohibit training or otherwise practicing the elements of such sports that do not involve close contact with persons;
• Limit nursing home and long-term-care facility visitation, while providing a framework for safe, limited visitation set forth in Executive Order No. 49, and continue the closure of senior centers;
• Provide that employers and businesses are expected to comply with the Governor’s Economic Recovery Group Guidelines (e.g., Tennessee Pledge) for operating safely, as well as general health guidelines from the CDC and other government entities (the 6 counties with locally run county health departments have authority to issue different directives on businesses/venues);
• Provide that bars may only serve customers seated at appropriately spaced tables and must follow the Economic Recovery Group Guidelines (e.g., Tennessee Pledge) for restaurants (the 6 counties with locally run county health departments have authority to issue different directives on businesses/venues);
• Urge persons and businesses to take special care to protect vulnerable populations, including by offering delivery or special shopping hours where possible;
• Allow take-out and delivery alcohol sales by restaurants and limited-service restaurants to continue to encourage customers to utilize take-out or delivery options;
• Allow broad access to telehealth services;
• Increase opportunities for people to easily join the healthcare workforce;
• Provide easier access to unemployment benefits;
• Ensure supply chain protections;
• Extend deadlines and suspend certain in-person continuing education or inspection requirements to avoid unnecessary person-to-person contact; and
• Increase opportunities to work remotely where appropriate.

A more complete list of measures extended beyond June 30 to promote regulatory flexibility, facilitate social distancing and avoidance of large gatherings, and support supply chains and health care providers includes:

• Health care licenses, certificates, and registrations are extended until August 31, 2020, and the number of health care professionals and facilities that are eligible for an extension is increased.
• Degree holders in science fields can work as laboratory personnel under supervision. Allows more qualified graduates to work in medical laboratories.
• Testing for COVID-19 can occur at more medical laboratory facilities. Allows for more widespread testing related to COVID-19.
• Driver licenses and photo ID renewal deadlines are further extended. CDL license types remain extended until June 30, 2020; other types are extended until November 15, 2020. More people qualify for an extension.
• Deadlines for payments to reinstate driver licenses are further extended. More people qualify for an extension.
• Enhanced handgun carry permits are further extended through November 15, 2020. More people qualify for an extension.
• Deadlines for persons with interlock ignition devices are further suspended. More people qualify for an extension.
• Professional educational and training deadlines administered by the Department of Commerce and Insurance may be extended. The Department now has the authority to extend testing deadlines for regulated professions.
• Activation of Tennessee Emergency Management Plan.
• Out-of-state health care providers may practice in Tennessee.
• Prescriptions available in 90-day supply.
• Increased availability of home health services.
• Notarization is not required for health care applications.
• Retired medical professionals can easily reenter the health care workforce.
• Continuing education requirements are suspended to allow health care professionals to receive such education through electronic means.
• Laboratory inspections are suspended to allow for immediate COVID-19 testing.
• Health care licensing inspections and investigations are suspended to increase resources available to fight COVID-19 and to protect public health.
• Inspections of pain management clinics are suspended.
• Inspections of health care facilities are suspended.
• Inspections of medical laboratories are suspended.
• Inspections of pharmaceutical facilities are suspended.
• Inspections of veterinary facilities are suspended.
• Live human patient examinations are suspended for dentistry applicants, and the Board of Dentistry may modify licensing procedures accordingly.
• Memoranda of Understanding with the Department of Health to obtain confidential personal health information are enforceable emergency orders.
• Nursing graduates may practice under supervision without examination.
• Expanding locations for autopsies.
• Pharmacists can process prescriptions remotely.
• Each pharmacist can supervise more pharmacy technicians.
• Medical laboratory directors can monitor facilities remotely.
• Pre-license, post-degree mental or behavioral health professionals can provide telehealth services under supervision.
• Medical laboratory personnel can work remotely.
• Increased number of hospital beds available for COVID-19 patients.
• Regulations of emergency medical services are suspended to increase services.
• Temporary quarantine and isolation facilities may be constructed.
• Size and weight transportation restrictions suspended for emergency supplies.
• Transportation hours of service restrictions suspended for emergency supplies.
• Certain criteria for unemployment benefits are suspended to ensure such benefits are available to COVID 19-affected employees.
• Unemployment information from employers required more quickly to process benefits faster.
• Child care licensure and assessment requirements are suspended to facilitate continued operation of child care facilities.
• Examination cycle of financial institutions may be extended.
• Deadline for TNInvestco annual audited financial statement reports extended until July 31, 2020.
• Departments may extend deadlines to deposit state funds to protect state employees/customers.
• Deadline for ethics filings is extended until July 15, 2020.
• Deadlines for law enforcement training are extended.
• Free copies of business entity filings available for those using them to seek state or federal disaster relief.
• Board of Parole may modify procedures to protect public health.
• Suspends temporary application of safety valve provisions resulting from the temporary decrease in TDOC prisoners.
• Governor has discretion to utilize National Guard members in connection with TDOC operations if needed.
• Motor vehicle dealers can record liens with the Secretary of State.
• Administration of driving tests is suspended.
• Issuance of REAL-ID is suspended.
• Tennessee Corrections Institute transfer procedures are adjusted to respond to COVID-19.
• Tennessee Corrections Institute may flexibly respond to COVID-19 issues.
• Deadlines for building code and building plan inspections may be extended.
• Notarization requirements for bonds and certain legal documents are suspended.
• Deadline for firefighters to complete training may be extended.
• Deadline for law enforcement and firefighter physical examinations is extended until October 1, 2020.
• Deadline for peace officers to complete training may be suspended.
• Annual meeting of the Tennessee Judicial Conference is suspended.
• Time periods for completing securities registration requirements may be extended.
• Remote shareholder meetings permitted under certain conditions.
• Discretionary leave available for state employees affected by COVID-19.
• Inspections of mental health and substance abuse facilities and services are suspended.
• Telephone assessments for involuntary commitment cases are permitted.
• TennCare policies adjusted to prevent coverage disruptions.
• Limitations on emergency admissions to Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities facilities are suspended.
• Medication administration certificates may be extended for Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities personnel.
• Suspending requirements not feasible during COVID-19 pandemic to maintain service levels for persons supported by Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
• Health insurance carriers encouraged to take steps necessary to maximize access to COVID- 19 treatment, screening, and testing.
• Telemedicine access is expanded.
• All licensed health care providers can practice telemedicine.
• Tennessee Bureau of Investigation may conduct name-based background checks.
• Deadline to remove expunged records is suspended.

Executive Order No. 51
Executive Order No. 16, as previously extended by Executive Order No. 34, which allows governing bodies to meet electronically regarding essential business as long as they provide electronic access to the public and meet the safeguards established in that order to ensure openness and transparency, is extended through August 29 to ensure that governmental entities are able to carry out essential business in a safe, transparent way without creating large gatherings in a confined space and endangering persons, particularly those at increased risk of suffering severe illness from COVID-19, while determinations of how best to return to safe, in-person governmental meetings remain ongoing.
Summary of Executive Order No. 52
Executive Order No. 26, as previously extended by Executive Order No. 37, which allows for remote notarization and witnessing of documents, subject to compliance with certain procedures, is extended through August 29 to ensure that persons, and particularly populations especially vulnerable to COVID-19, including older adults and persons with compromised immune systems or serious chronic medical conditions, can continue to engage in commerce and execute legal documents without requiring in-person contact.

See official order 50 here. see official order 51 here. see official order 52 here.

Governor Preempts Reopening Plan for Clarksville Montgomery County - Dine-in restaurants can open doors on Monday

April 27, 2020 - Communications Department

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Gov. Bill Lee issued an executive order on Friday that will allow dine-in restaurants to resume operations Monday in Clarksville and Montgomery County.

The governor’s action preempts and cancels a local reopening plan and business permit process that was announced last week.

Lee announced his “Tennessee Pledge” on Friday, calling it the first step in a phased reopening of the state’s economy. The plan entails rebooting industries as they are safe to pursue in 89 of the state’s 95 counties, including Montgomery County. The state is working with Shelby, Madison, Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, and Sullivan, which have locally controlled health departments, on plans to reopen businesses in those counties.

Lee announced that Tennessee restaurants are able to reopen Monday, April 27 at 50 percent occupancy. Additionally, Tennessee retailers are able to reopen on Wednesday at 50 percent occupancy. The state recommends that employees in both industries wear cloth face coverings and that business owners follow federal guidelines for hygiene and workplace sanitation standards related to the pandemic.

The governor’s plan does not yet allow personal services business, such as barbers, hair stylists and nail salons to open.

The full guidance offered by the state for both sectors can be found at https://www.tn.gov/governor/covid-19/economic-recovery.html.

The governor’s order also included a provision that preempts a local reopening plan announced Thursday by Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett and City of Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts.

“This Order shall supersede and preempt any emergency order, health order, or other order issued by a local official or local governmental entity addressing or otherwise related to COVID-19; provided, that the six locally run county health departments in Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, Madison, Shelby, or Sullivan Counties shall have the authority to maintain any existing order or issue further restrictions regarding the operation of restaurants for the purposes of containment or management of the spread of COVID-19,” Gov. Lee’s order states.

Mayor Durrett and Mayor Pitts and a team of staff members and local health officials had worked aggressively last week to build a local plan for reopening commercial activity in Clarksville-Montgomery County.

“Our local phased reopening and the operating permit process we intended to put into place will be set aside for now,” Mayor Pitts said Monday. “Further, our Executive Order No. 3 enacted by the City Council, which mandated business closings and stay-at-home measures, expires at midnight Tuesday, and will not be renewed. Our orders have been superseded by the Governor.”

“The governor’s lack of specifics in a timely manner put local governments in a reactive posture, instead of helping us help our community,” Mayor Pitts added.

Mayor Durrett also expressed frustration with the way the governor’s announcement unfolded.

“It’s unfortunate that the governor did not communicate his plans in advance,” Mayor Durrett said. “On April 20, he said, ‘the vast majority of businesses will be able to reopen by May 1st.’ So we worked like crazy to prepare for that, and then (Friday) he announced that restaurants and retail can open this week, and others have to wait. There must be better communication from our governor.”

Meanwhile, both mayors appealed to citizens to remain vigilant in the fight against COVID-19 by social distancing, using CDC hygiene practices, and wearing face coverings in public.

“Everyone must remember, we are not declaring victory, and we are still in a battle against COVID-19,” Mayor Pitts said. “Even as we strive to bring our community back to a reasonable level of activity, we must continue aggressive efforts to limit the spread of this serious disease.”

Montgomery County Mayor Extends Emergency Executive Orders through April 29

April 21, 2020 - Communications Department

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, signed Emergency Executive Order #7 for the extension of the declaration of the State of Emergency allowed under TCA 58-2-110, that went into effect March 17 as well as existing Emergency Executive Orders #1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 for an additional seven days.

This means that the original declaration of a State of Emergency, as well as the emergency orders that followed, have been extended, as allowed by law, for an additional seven days beginning April 22 at 12:01 a.m. and ending April 29, at which time evaluation to further extend the orders will be determined based on the information from the Whitehouse, the State of Tennessee and local healthcare professionals.

The only change is in Emergency Executive Order #3 that applies to the workweek for Montgomery County Government employees. In addition to the extension, this order states that county employees move to a 10-hour workday, four days a week from Monday through Thursday. Beginning Monday, April 27, county employees will go back to an 8-hour workday, Monday through Friday. The staggered staff schedule will be maintained, until further notice, to minimize contact and maintain social distancing.

“We are well-aware of Governor Lee’s Stay at Home order ending on April 30 and have been diligently working out a plan for Phase 1 of reopening. Once we have all the information in place and the expectations are clear, it will be shared with the public. In the meantime, it is critical for businesses as well as individuals do their part to minimize the spread of the coronavirus during this next week so we can move forward,” stated Mayor Durrett.

To review; the Declaration of the State of Emergency for Montgomery County and Emergency Executive Order #1 went into effect on March 17. Emergency Executive Order #1 limited public access to county buildings, reduced staff on-site and encouraged the use of online services. Emergency Executive Order #2, went into effect on March 23, extended the declaration of the State of Emergency and Emergency Order #2 while emending the order to support Governor Bill Lee’s Executive Order #17. Emergency Executive Order #3, issued March 24 extended the Declaration of the State of Emergency and Emergency Orders #1, #2 and adjusted the workweek for county employees. Emergency Executive Order #4, issued March 31, extended the Declaration of the State of Emergency and emergency orders #1, #2, and #3. Emergency Order #4 also directed citizens to shelter at home except when engaging in essential activities or services as described in the order and in addition to Governor Lee’s Executive Order #21. Emergency Executive Orders #5 and #6 are extensions of the previous orders.

Additionally, Governor Bill Lee’s statewide Safer at Home Order, (Executive Order #27) is valid through April 30.

For more information about Montgomery County Services and COVID-19 information, visit https://mcgtn.org/ or call 931-648-5787.

Beware of Scammers Related to COVID-19 Testing
Montgomery County Health Department Receives Calls of Concern

April 21, 2020 - Communications Department

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – The Montgomery County Health Department was made aware of multiple scammer calls that went out from the health department phone number today. The callers are contacting people to let them know they can receive the results of their COVID-19 test if they share their social security number.

The act of stealing a local or trusted number is known as spoofing. According to information on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website, spoofing occurs when a caller secures a number to purposely disguise themselves as a valid organization or individual in order to obtain valuable personal information from the person they call.

“The Montgomery County Health Department would never ask for your social security number. We will prompt you with questions that are related to your visit to the health department so you will know that it is us. We felt it was important to warn people these calls are being made so they can protect their personal information,” said Joey Smith, Director of the Montgomery Health Department.

For more information on how spoofing works, visit the FCC web site. For information about the Montgomery County Health Department, please visit their website.

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, I, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declared a State of Local Emergency on the 17th day of March 2020, granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 58-2-110. This declaration gives political subdivisions of Tennessee State Government, Montgomery County, the ability to waive procedures relative to “performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community”. I then issued EMERGENCY ORDER #1 on the same date. Subsequently, I issued EMERGENCEY ORDER #2 on March 23, 2020, and EMERGENCY ORDER #3 on March 24, 2020, Emergency Executive Order #4 of March 31, 2020, Emergency Executive ORDER #5 on April 7, 2020 and Emergency Executive Order #6 of April 14, 2020.

Pursuant to those same statutes, I extend that Declaration of a state of emergency and further so ORDERED the mandates of EMERGENCY ORDER(s) #1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 for an additional seven days (7) with EMERGENCY ORDER #7, except as amended to return county employees to a Five Day work week.

I am extending this ORDER on these terms, pending the guidelines to be established by the State of Tennessee according to Governor Lee’s announcement on April 20th. In that announcement he indicated the re-opening of the State of Tennessee as early as April 27th, or on May 1st. I have the ability to cancel or amend this local order at any time deemed appropriate and will act when I see and review the guidance indicated by the Governor in his ORDER.

EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER # 7

1. The Original Declaration of a State of Emergency made on March 17, 2020 is extended as allowed by law.
2. Subsequently ORDERs of County Mayor Durrett being EMERGENCY ORDER #1 on March 17, 2020, EMERGENCEY ORDER #2 on March 23, 2020, and EMERGENCY ORDER #3 on March 24, 2020, Emergency Executive Order #4 of March 31, 2020, Emergency Executive ORDER #5 on April 7, 2020 and Emergency Executive Order #6 of April 14, 2020 are adopted herein in full and extended as allowed by law.
3. The earlier ORDERED Four (4) day “work week” for Montgomery County Employees is withdrawn. All county offices will return to a regular work week beginning April 27, 2020 with the same limited staffing. Offices are closed to the public but functioning as they are now.
4. The mandates in each ORDER are not applicable to those entities identified by their work or services as critical infrastructure industry(s) as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services, pharmaceutical and food supply. The Mandates in this Order cannot and do not invalidate or void any existing ORDERS of the Governor of the State of Tennessee and the Tennessee Supreme Court currently in effect but add additional mandatory operational guidelines and responsibilities for those businesses to continue to operate.
5. This EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER #7 shall be effective and enforceable at 12:01 AM, Central Daylight Time, on April 22, 2020, and shall remain in effect until 12:01 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on April 29, 2020, at which time the same will be extended, amended or otherwise addressed.
6. This Order shall be effective upon issuance to protect and ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the Community.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, this the 21st day of April 2020.

See official order here.

COVID-19 Drive-Through Testing Event Scheduled for Montgomery County April 26th

April 20, 2020 - Communications Department

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – The Montgomery County Health Department is hosting a COVID-19 drive-through testing event for the community on April 26, 2020. Nurses and National Guard medics will collect nasal swabs from those who want to be tested, and test results may be available within 72 hours after the samples arrive at the lab, depending on lab volume.

“Anyone with health concerns, or who has concerns about the health of a family member, is invited to come this weekend to receive testing for COVID-19,” said Joey Smith, Montgomery County Health Department Director. “This testing will be provided at no cost to participants, and those who come for testing can remain in their vehicles throughout the process.”

Sample collection for testing will be offered in Montgomery County this Sunday from 9 a.m. through noon at the Montgomery County Health Department, 330 Pageant Ln, Clarksville, TN 37040.

Tennessee’s Coronavirus Public Information Lines are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., CDT daily at 833-556-2476 or 877-857-2945.

TDH is posting updated COVID-19 case numbers by 2 p.m. CDT each day at www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html. Find additional information at www.tn.gov/governor/covid-19.html and www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

COVID-19 related information can also be found at https://mcgtn.org/gov/covid19.

FUEL has urgent need for donations - Demand grows for food program for children

April 20, 2020 - Communications Department

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The FUEL Program provides take-home meals to thousands of Clarksville-Montgomery County School System students who may not otherwise have access to food at home. Since the schools closed March 12 because of the COVID-19 crisis, FUEL has continued to provide meals to children, and each week the need has grown.

FUEL, with help from dozens of community volunteers, this week will prepare and distribute more than 5,000 meal bags. The program needs help replenishing its pantry quickly to fill bags for the coming weeks.

“Denise Skidmore, leader of the FUEL Program, and her volunteers do a wonderful and efficient job of getting food to youngsters who really need the help,” Mayor Joe Pitts said. “Especially in this time of extra demand, I urge our residents to step up and help FUEL.”

Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett noted that FUEL is picking up the slack to make sure children do not go hungry.

“My wife, Mary, and I have had the privilege of helping to pack food for kids through this program and have been amazed by how well they run their operation,” Mayor Durrett said. “We need to do all we can to support their efforts as well as the other organizations that are working to help people in our community.”

Residents can make a monetary donation through PayPal or with a credit card at www.fuelforkids.org.

The organization also uses an Amazon program -- online at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3T2ABWZ899792?ref_=wl_share -- that will ship donated goods directly to FUEL. Please look at the delivery dates because shipping of some items has been delayed.

In-person donations can be dropped off from 2-4 p.m. Thursday, 5-7 p.m. Friday and 8:30-11 a.m. Saturday at Hilldale United Methodists Church, 1751 Madison St., Clarksville.

Donated foods should not require a can opener, refrigeration or cooking, and must be individually wrapped and ready to eat. Most-needed food items are: individual boxes of cereal; crackers with cheese; juice boxes and pouches; Slim Jim’s and meat sticks; and individual servings of mac and cheese.

Other popular kid-friendly items include fruit cups, Pop Tarts, fruit roll-ups, fruit twisters, breakfast bars, granola bars, individually packaged servings of applesauce, raisins and pudding snacks. High protein options include cheese sticks, peanut butter crackers, peanut butter snack sticks, tuna in a pouch and nuts in a pouch.

To find out more about the FUEL Program, visit http://www.fuelforkids.org/.

Bi-County Solid Waste Management Again Requests Assistance and Patience to Relieve Large Loads at Convenience Centers

April 17, 2020 - Communications Department

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – While residents shelter at home due to COVID-19, they continue to work on spring cleaning and home projects. The increased amount of materials brought to the Bi-County Solid Waste Convenience Centers in a condensed period of time has continued to present a challenge at the centers.

The convenience centers are meant for smaller loads of bagged household waste, not large loads or large items. Due to the increased volume of materials and scheduling circumstances, the Bi-County Solid Waste drivers are still experiencing an increasing number of pick-ups from the convenience centers, which also causes delays on picking up at other sites. These delays have resulted in long lines at some of the centers as well as at the main landfill.

Director of Bi-County Solid Waste Management, Mark Neblett said, “We are asking the community to continue to work with us and bring their large loads to the main landfill scales at 3212 Dover Road. I’ve been with Bi-County for 29 years and we have never experienced such high demand in such a short period of time. It is my goal to keep the convenience centers available to the public which is one of the reasons we chose to keep them open last Friday, on a holiday when the centers are normally closed. Our convenience center workers will continue to make discretionary decisions based on box space, pick-up schedules, and traffic flow.”

The Transfer Station located at 1230 Highway Drive can also accept some larger loads and large items (no double axle trailers) but may also need to redirect customers to the main landfill based on their capacity.

The hours of operation for the scales at the main landfill site on Dover Road are Monday through Friday 5:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The hours of operation for the Transfer Station are Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bi-County is here to serve the citizens of Montgomery and Stewart Counties, but assistance is also needed from residents.

For questions about Bi-County Solid Waste and when the convenience centers are open visit or https://mcgtn.org/bi-county or call 931-648-5751. Please note that it may take some time to return your call during this time because of a high call volume.

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, I, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declared a State of Local Emergency on the 17th day of March 2020, granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 58-2-110. This declaration gives political subdivisions of Tennessee State Government, Montgomery County, the ability to waive procedures relative to “performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community”. I then issued EMERGENCY ORDER #1 on the same date. Subsequently, I issued EMERGENCEY ORDER #2 on March 23, 2020, and EMERGENCY ORDER #3 on March 24, 2020, Emergency Executive Order #4 of March 31, 2020, and Emergency Executive ORDER #5 on April 7, 2020.

Pursuant to those same statutes, I extend that Declaration of a state of emergency and further so ORDER the mandates of EMERGENCY ORDER(s) #1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 for an additional seven days (7) and amend or supplement the same with EMERGENCY ORDER #6 as follows.

EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER # 6

1. The Original Declaration of a State of Emergency made on March 17, 2020 is extended as allowed by law.
2. Subsequently ORDERs of County Mayor Durrett being EMERGENCY ORDER # 1 on March 17, 2020, EMERGENCEY ORDER # 2 on March 23, 2020, and EMERGENCY ORDER # 3 on March 24, 2020, Emergency Executive ORDER #4 of March 31, 2020, and Emergency Executive ORDER #5 on April 7, 2020 are adopted herein in full and extended as allowed by law.
3. The mandates in each ORDER are not applicable to those entities identified by their work or services as critical infrastructure industry(s) as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services, pharmaceutical and food supply.
4. This EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER #6 shall be effective and enforceable at 12:01 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on April 15, 2020, and shall remain in effect until 12:01 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on April 22, 2020, at which time the same will be extended, amended or otherwise addressed.
5. This Order shall be effective upon issuance to protect and ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the Community.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, this the 14th day of April 2020.

See official order here.

Mayors Want to Answer Your COVID-19 Questions Durrett, Pitts will Present Video Q&A Session on Monday

April 9, 2020 - Communications Department

CLARKSVILLE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett and City of Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts are eager to answer citizens’ questions related to COVID-19 and the current public health emergency.

Residents are urged to submit questions for the mayors who will offer their responses during a question and answer video presentation. The video will be captioned and streamed on the County and City websites and Facebook pages on Monday, April 13.

The mayors and their staffs are individually handling numerous questions through various channels, but they want to use the video Q&A format -- which can be posted and widely shared -- to provide more answers to more people.

Citizens are invited to email questions of 100 words or less to [email protected] by 5 p.m. Saturday, April 11.

Montgomery County Mayor Extends Emergency Executive Orders

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, signed Emergency Executive Order #5 today as a required formality for the extension of the Declaration of the State of Emergency allowed under TCA 58-2-110, that went into effect March 17 as well as existing Emergency Executive Orders #1, #2, #3 and #4.

This means that the original declaration of a state of emergency, as well as the emergency orders that followed, have been extended, as allowed by law, for an additional seven days beginning April 8 at 12:01 a.m. and ending April 15, at which time evaluation to further extend the orders will be determined.

“We will continue to take actions necessary to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the residents in Montgomery County and ask that each of you do the same. Please stay at home. The more people that follow the shelter at home orders, the faster, safer, and healthier we can get through this pandemic. We have hundreds of Fort Campbell soldiers who are in New York City right now putting their health on the line to save people. When you leave your home for nonessential reasons, you not only jeopardize yourself but others as well. It’s all about we and not me!” stated Mayor Durrett

To review; the Declaration of the State of Emergency for Montgomery County and Emergency Executive Order #1 went into effect on March 17. Emergency Executive Order #1 limited public access to county buildings, reduced staff on-site and encouraged the use of online services. Emergency Executive Order #2, went into effect on March 23, extended the declaration of the State of Emergency and Emergency Order #2 while emending the order to support Governor Bill Lee’s Executive Order #17. Emergency Order #3, issued March 24 extends the Declaration of the State of Emergency and emergency orders #1, #2. Added to the order was the 10-hour per day Monday through Thursday workweek for those employed by Montgomery County Government. Emergency Order #4, issued March 31, extended the Declaration of the State of Emergency and emergency orders #1, #2, and #3. Emergency Order #4 also directed citizens to shelter at home except when engaging in essential activities or services as described in the order and in addition to Governor Lee’s Executive Order #21.

For more information about Montgomery County Services and COVID-19 information, visit mcgtn.org or call 931-648-5787.

See official news release here

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, I, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declared a State of Local Emergency on the 17th day of March 2020, granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 58-2-110. This declaration gives political subdivisions of Tennessee State Government, Montgomery County, the ability to waive procedures relative to “performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community”. I then issued EMERGENCY ORDER # 1 on the same date. Subsequently, I issued EMERGENCEY ORDER # 2 on March 23, 2020, and EMERGENCY ORDER # 3 on March 24, 2020, and Emergency Executive Order #4 of March 31, 2020. Pursuant to those same statutes, I extend that Declaration of a state of emergency and further so ORDER the mandates of EMERGENCY ORDER(s) #1, 2, 3, and 4 for an additional seven days (7) and amend or supplement the same with EMERGENCY ORDER #5 as follows.

EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER # 5

1. The Original Declaration of a State of Emergency is extended as allowed by law.
2. EMERGENCY ORDER #1 of March 17, 2020, EMERGENCEY ORDER # 2 of March 23, 2020, and EMERGENCY ORDER # 3 of March 24, 2020, and Emergency Executive Order #4 are adopted herein in full and extended as allowed by law.
3. The mandates in each Order are not applicable to those entities identified by their work or services as critical infrastructure industry(s) as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services, pharmaceutical and food supply.
4. This Emergency Order #5 Order shall be effective and enforceable at 12:01 AM, Central Daylight Time, on April 8th, 2020, and shall remain in effect until 12:01 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on April 15, 2020, at which time the same will be extended, amended or otherwise addressed.
5. This Order shall be effective upon issuance to protect and ensure the health, saftey, and welfare of the Community.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, this the 7th day of April 2020.

See official order here.

Montgomery County Clerk’s Office has Modified Services During Shelter at Home Orders

April 6, 2020 - Communications Department

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – The Montgomery County Clerk’s Office drive-thru window is now closed. Residents who have registrations that expired in March or that will expire in April or May have been given an extension through June 15, 2020, based on an executive order from the Governor’s Office.

The executive order for the extension covers registration renewal expirations, temporary operating permits as well as disabled placard renewals. Montgomery County registration renewals can be processed online at https://mcgtn.org/clerk or by mail at Montgomery County Clerk, 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 502, Clarksville, TN 37040.

“With the Shelter at Home Order in effect, a greatly reduced staff on-site, and the extension for registrations, I felt closing the drive-thru was the responsible action to take for the safety of my employees and our citizens. We could not meet the distance requirements for our employees and manage the large volume of customers that were approaching the drive-thru for service. The Governor’s extension of expiration dates will hopefully ease the concerns of our citizens. We are thankful that so many of our services have extended deadlines to assist citizens until our normal business activities resume,” said County Clerk Kellie Jackson.

Questions can be submitted to [email protected]. Staff will be working on site and remotely to provide residents with answers and helpful information.

The County Clerk’s Office will continue processing the following applications during the closure:

• Motor Vehicle Titles – Contact our office for further information and instruction
• Registration Renewals – Due to the expiration extensions above, all renewals must be processed online or by mail at this time.
• Marriages –Applicants will be assisted by appointments only between 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday. Applications need to be completed online and submitted. The Governor’s Executive Order has extended a current marriage license expiration until June 30, 2020. Contact our office for further information or for appointment availability.
• Notary (applicants only) – Applicants need to download the form online and contact our office for further information.
• Boats (change of ownership only) – TWRA has advised that you keep a photocopy of your bill of sale in your vessel until such time County Clerk’s Offices reopen for proof of ownership. Please contact our office if you have further questions.
• Business License – The Governor’s Executive Order extended business tax payments until June 15, 2020. If you are applying for a new Business License you can complete the online form and then contact our office for further information and instruction.

The following Montgomery County Clerk services have been suspended during the closure:

• Notarization of documents. Documents related to County Clerk transactions will be the only notarizations processed.
• Passport services – Visit www.travel.state.gov for additional information on locations offering this service.
• Boat Registration renewals (same owner, no change of ownership) – Visit www.tn.gov/twra for additional information on locations and to renew online.
• Hunting & fishing license – Visit www.tn.gov/twra for additional information on locations and to renew online.

For information on additional services and/or forms, send an email to [email protected], visit https://mcgtn.org/clerk, or call the County Clerk’s Office at 931-648-5711.

Bi-County Solid Waste Management asks for Assistance to Relieve Large Loads at Convenience Centers

April 5, 2020 - Communications Department

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – With more people staying at home due COVID-19, many residents have been taking advantage of spring cleaning and home projects. This has resulted in an overload of materials at the Bi-County Solid Waste Convenience Centers in a short time span.

Bi-County Solid Waste Management Convenience Centers are meant for smaller loads of bagged household waste, not large loads or large items. Due to the increased volume of materials, scheduling circumstances, and staff shortages related to COVID-19, Bi-County Solid Waste drivers are experiencing a rapidly increasingly number of pick-ups from the convenience centers, which causes delays and has a trickle effect on picking up other sites and recyclables.

“Debris that normally comes in over the course of several months is now coming in all at once in large volumes. Bi-County will continue providing services however, we need residents to work with us to bring larger items and loads to the main landfill scales located at 3212 Dover Road. We also request that our convenience center workers be treated with patience as they have been advised to make discretionary decisions based on box space and traffic flow,” stated Bi-County Director Mark Neblett.

The Transfer Station located at 1230 Highway Drive can also accept some larger loads and large items (no double axle trailers), however they are overwhelmed at this time and may or may not be able to handle the capacity. There could be long wait times and a request for delivery to the main landfill on Dover Road.

The hours of operation for the scales at the main landfill site on Dover Road are Monday through Friday 5:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The hours of operation for the Transfer Station are Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bi-County is here to serve the citizens of Montgomery and Stewart Counties, but your help is needed to follow these guidelines so they can continue serving residents.

For questions about Bi-County Solid Waste visit or https://mcgtn.org/bi-county or call 931-648-5751. Please note that it may take some time to return your call during this time because of a high call volume.

County Commission Meetings Move to Electronic Venue for the Month of April

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order No. 16 regarding limiting gatherings to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, and allowing public meetings to take place by electronic means; the informal county commission meeting scheduled on April 6 at 6 p.m. as well as the formal county commission meeting scheduled for April 13 also at 6 p.m., will be conducted electronically

Meeting electronically and prohibiting public access to a physical location is necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public in light of COVID-19. The meeting can be viewed, as always, by the public as a live stream video on the Montgomery County YouTube Channel during the meeting or at any time after the meeting has taken place.

“Montgomery County Government will continue to follow the orders that have been given at the local and state level for the protection of the citizens. We conducted a run through of the new meeting process with the County Clerk and members of my staff who are required to participate in the meetings to ensure we had a decent connection. We hope the processes we have in place will work with any complications that may arise,” stated Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett.

For information on local COVID-19 updates in Montgomery County and online services offered through Montgomery County Government, visit mcgtn.org.

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, I, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declared a State of Local Emergency on the 17th day of March 2020, granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 58-2-110. This declaration gives political subdivisions of Tennessee State Government, Montgomery County, the ability to waive procedures relative to “performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community”. I then issued EMERGENCY ORDER # 1 on the same date. Subsequently, I issued EMERGENCEY ORDER # 2 on March 23, 2020, and EMERGENCY ORDER # 3 on March 24, 2020. Pursuant to those same statutes, I extend that Declaration of a state of emergency and further so ORDER the mandates of EMERGENCY ORDER(s) #1, 2, and 3 for an additional seven days (7) and amend or supplement the same with EMERGENCY ORDER #4 as follows.

EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER # 4

1. The Original Declaration of a State of Emergency is extended as allowed by law.
2. EMERGENCY ORDER #1 of March 17, 2020, EMERGENCEY ORDER # 2 of March 23, 2020, and EMERGENCY ORDER # 3 of March 24, 2020 are adopted herein in full and extended as allowed by law.
3. 3. New Provisions of EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER # 4 are as follows:

   SECTION 1

   Citizens of Montgomery County are directed to shelter at home except when engaging in Essential Activities or Essential Services as defined herein. When individuals leave their homes or places of residence, they should practice appropriate social distancing staying six (6) feet apart, and should assume others are infectious, regardless of whether they exhibit symptoms.

   All gatherings are strongly discouraged, and those with more than ten (10) people are strictly prohibited. Gatherings include any event or convening unrelated to essential services that bring together groups of individuals, including, but not limited to, community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based, or sporting events, parades, concerts, festivals, conventions, fundraisers, and similar activities.

   All parks’ open areas will remain open. Open areas are only those for walking, running and those not designed for use by groups of persons. Citizens using these open spaces are directed to adhere to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on social distancing and hand hygiene, remaining six (6) feet apart. All “buildings, playground areas and structures” of any type in all parks will be closed.

   Individuals experiencing homelessness, who may include individuals in shelters and homeless encampments, shall not be subject to this order but shall be encouraged to follow CDC guidance on social distancing and hand hygiene.

   SECTION 2

   All businesses not performing essential services shall close their business facilities, subject to exceptions stated in this Order. Facilities shall remain accessible as needed to service computer and other equipment, process mail, and maintain security.

   This closure order includes, but is not limited to:

   • On-site activities at hospitality, educational, and entertainment venues, businesses, and facilities are directed to close to the public. On-line activities and deliveries through these businesses may continue.
   • Personal appearance businesses, including hair, nail, massage, tattoo, tanning, waxing, and other such facilities are directed to close, except when the service is medically necessary.
   • Public and private entertainment and social clubs are directed to close.

   Nothing in this Order shall prohibit any business possessing applicable licenses or permits from conducting deliveries; however, CDC guidance on social distancing shall be followed when possible.

   Nothing in this order is intended to prohibit individuals from performing business functions of nonessential businesses from their own homes, provided that such business functions comply with existing law and are only performed by residents of that home.

   SECTION 3

   As set forth by the Federal Department of Homeland Security in the link below, the federal government has identified 16 critical infrastructure sectors whose assets, systems and networks, whether physical or virtual, are considered so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, economic security, public health or safety, or any combination thereof. Individuals working in these 16 critical infrastructure sectors may continue their work because of the importance of these sectors to the health and well-being of individuals residing or working in Montgomery County. Federal Department of Homeland Security: https://www.cisa.fov/identifying-critical-infrastructure-during-covid-19.

   SECTION 4

   This Order does not apply to the following sectors and businesses and their employees as essential services to protect the health and well-being of all individuals residing or working in Montgomery County.

   • Federal and state offices and services, and private companies or individuals performing under federal, state, or local government contracts;
   • Essential government functions including, but not limited to, law enforcement, public transportation, and businesses that provide government programs and services, including functions assisting economically disadvantaged populations and individuals experiencing homelessness;
   • Companies providing media, communication and telecommunication services;
   • Grocery and beverage stores, farmers markets, food banks, caterers, convenience stores selling food, agriculture, food manufacturing and processing, feed mills, and other businesses that directly support the food supply, including but not limited to farming, livestock, and food cultivation;
   • Healthcare, mental and behavioral health, biomedical research, laboratory services, and other businesses that directly support the healthcare industry including, but not limited to, health information technology, staffing and supplies;
   • Sanitation and waste removal;
   • Energy, water, and sewage businesses and services;
   • Pharmacies, medical supply, and other businesses that directly support the drug and medical supply pipeline;
   • Vehicle fuel, support, and service stations, vehicle parts and repair businesses, and vehicle sales, leasing and rental businesses;
   • Banks, savings and loans, insurance companies, accounting businesses, and other business that directly support the insurance and financial services sectors;
   • Real property marketing, leasing, purchase, and sale services;
   • Legal and judicial services;
   • Laundromats, laundry, and cleaning services;
   • Home and business structure and equipment repair, hardware, building supply, and appliance sale and repairs;
   • Warehousing and storage facilities;
   • Construction, architectural, engineering, or surveying services;
   • Product logistics, transport, and distribution businesses;
   • Parcel transportation and delivery businesses;
   • Veterinary and pet supply business and services;
   • Home and business cleaning and maintenance services;
   • Educational institutions, public and private K-12 schools, private colleges and universities, trade schools, post-secondary, and technical colleges, but only as needed to facilitate online or distance learning and essential functions;
   • Landscaping and nurseries;
   • Production, distribution, and sale of household consumer goods such as cleaning and personal care products;
   • Essential building maintenance and security;
   • Individuals whose job functions require them to be at their work location and who are essential to preserving the information systems, accounting, and human resource infrastructures of any business which is otherwise in substantial compliance with this order;
   • Nonprofit entities providing support and assistance to victims of the COVID-19 epidemic; and
   • Other businesses and services that may be determined are essential for the continued safety and security of Montgomery County.

   SECTION 5

   The following businesses may remain open subject to compliance with the following conditions:

   • Daycare and childcare business shall prioritize children of parents working for essential infrastructure sectors, businesses, or service providers to the extent practicable.
   • Assisted living facilities, nursing homes, adult daycare centers, funeral homes and mortuaries, home health businesses, and senior residential facilities shall follow CDC guidance on social distancing and hand hygiene to the extent practicable. Non-essential social and educational programs at senior citizen and other assisted living communities and centers shall end until further notice.
   • Hotels, short term rental properties, commercial lodges, and dormitories shall cease entertainment or dine-in services, subject to allowing food and beverage pick-up and room-service.
   • Golf Courses and their facilities may remain open as an outdoor recreation opportunity and abiding by all of this order’s social distancing requirements. However, as to the other business operations thereon, restaurants, clubhouse, spas, driving and putting facility they shall be closed except as pick up or delivery of food and payments for facility use.

   SECTION 6

   Essential services, especially grocery stores and pharmacies, shall make best efforts to establish hours of operations during which their services are available only to senior citizens or otherwise vulnerable populations.

   Essential services shall continue to adhere to CDC guidance on social distancing and hand hygiene in the workplace, including encouraging work-from-home and allowing employees when possible to work on-site in shifts to optimize social distancing in the workplace, where possible.

   Essential services are encouraged to utilize, to the maximum extent possible, any telecommuting or work-from-home procedures they can safely utilize.

4. This directive comes from the Executive Order #21 of the Honorable Bill Lee, Governor. Businesses or organizations that perform close-contact personal services shall not be open to members or the public. Such businesses or organizations include, but are not limited to:
   1. Barber shops;
   2. Hair salons;
   3. Waxing salons;
   4. Threading salons;
   5. Nail salons or spas;
   6. Spas providing body treatments;
   7. Body-art facilities or tattoo services;
   8. Tanning salons;
   9. Massage-therapy establishments or massage services.
5. This directive comes from the Executive Order #21 of the Honorable Bill Lee, Governor. Entertainment and recreational gathering venues shall not be open to members or the public. Such venues include, but are not limited to:
   1. Night clubs;
   2. Bowling alleys;
   3. Arcades;
   4. Concert venues;
   5. Theaters, auditoriums, performing arts centers, or similar facilities;
   6. Racetracks;
   7. Indoor children’s play areas;
   8. Adult entertainment venues;
   9. Amusement parks; or
   10. Roller or ice-skating rinks.
6. If any provision, sentence, clause, phrase, or word, of this Order or any application of it to any individual, business, or circumstance is held to be invalid by a decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, then such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications of this Order.
7. The mandates in each ORDER are not applicable to those entities identified by their work or services as critical infrastructure industry(s) as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services, pharmaceutical and food supply. This ORDER does not apply to activities necessary to maintain continuity of operations of critical infrastructure sectors, as outlined at https://www.cisa.fov/identifying-critical-infrastructure-during-covid-19.
8. This EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER # 4 Order shall be effective and enforceable at 12:01 AM, Central Daylight Time, on April 1, 2020, and shall remain in effect until 12:01 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on April 8, 2020, at which time the same will be extended, amended or otherwise addressed.
9. This Order shall be effective upon issuance to protect and ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the Community.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, this the 31st day of March 2020.

See official order here.

Healthcare Community Discusses COVID-19

March 27, 2020 - Communications Department

Montgomery County, TN — Montgomery County Government Emergency Services Director Jimmie Edwards, initiated the first collaborative medical community conference call this morning to share information and discuss what is needed in our local healthcare community. Included in the call were representatives from Tennova, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, Montgomery County Health Department, Premier Medical Group, various walk-in and urgent care clinics, Austin Peay State University and Clarksville-Montgomery County School System.

“It’s important to know that most of us have been communicating for several weeks. These conference calls provide us with the ability to involve all healthcare facilities in Clarksville, Montgomery County. We left the conversation in agreement that it is important to conduct the calls on a regular basis,” stated Edwards.

The group discussed test counts, the possibility of planning for clinical pathways related to assessment, testing, and treatment locations, personal protective equipment needs and the overall supply situation and path for the distribution of supplies.

Many people are coming to healthcare facilities for symptoms that match COVID-19 symptoms, but approximately 93% of those tests come back negative from the Tennessee Department of Health.

“The people coming in for testing confirm there are a lot of illnesses going around at this time. We are seeing people with respiratory issues related to everything from the regular flu, to bronchitis, to allergies which have all or some of the same symptoms as COVID-19. On our busiest day so far, we had nearly 150 people in line for assessment, 61 were tested because they had COVID-19 symptoms. Of those 61 tested that day, none were positive for COVID-19,” said Montgomery County Health Director Joey Smith.

Dr. Mike Carrigan, Chief Administrator of Premier Medical Group said, “We must continue to get the message out on where people should go first for treatment, where to go for triage, and to keep them out of the hospital emergency rooms.”

Those who represented the clinics and are not testing for COVID-19 are working to treat systematic viral issues and keep people from going to the emergency rooms unnecessarily.

Edwards stated, “This is a fluid situation that continues to evolve. Working together through this pandemic is what we have been trained to do and is absolutely critical in winning the war against COVID-19.”

Citizens who feel they have the symptoms of COVID-19, should call their primary healthcare provider and follow instructions on whether to seek testing. For more information on the symptoms, homecare, response and outbreaks related to COVID-19, visit cdc.gov. For local information and community resources, visit the Montgomery County Government or City of Clarksville web sites.

Extension of Tennessee Supreme Court Order

March 26, 2020 - Communications Department

Order to Continue the Suspension of In-Person Court Proceedings Extended by Tennessee Supreme Court

Montgomery County, TN – The Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court decision to suspend in-person proceedings in all state and local courts in Tennessee, including but not limited to municipal, juvenile, general sessions, trial, and appellate courts, through March 31, 2020 has been extended through April 30, 2020.

To clarify, local and state courts of the State of Tennessee are open and will remain open subject to the provisions of Continuity of Operations Plan for the courts of Tennessee. See Tenn. Const. Art. VI, § 1; Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 16-3-501 to 16-3-504 (2009); Moore-Pennoyer v. State, 515 S.W.3d 271, 276-77 (Tenn. 2017); Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 49.

Under these provisions, all in-person proceedings in all state and local courts in Tennessee, including but not limited to municipal, juvenile, general sessions, trial, and appellate courts, shall be suspended through April 30, 2020, subject to the exceptions below.

Exceptions to the suspension of in-person court proceedings include, but are not limited to:

• Proceedings necessary to protect constitutional rights of criminal defendants, including bond-related matters, preliminary hearings for incarcerated individuals, and plea agreements for incarcerated individuals
• Proceedings related to relief from abuse, including but not limited to orders of protection
• Proceedings related to statutory order of protection hearings after entry of an ex parte order as necessary to satisfy any due process concerns
• Proceedings related to emergency child custody or visitation orders
• Proceedings related to the voluntary surrender of parental rights
• Settlements involving a minor or a person with a disability
• Department of Children’s Services emergency matters related to child safety, placement, permanency, or federal funding for children in foster care
• Proceedings related to petitions for temporary injunctive relief
• Proceedings related to emergency mental health orders
• Proceedings related to emergency protection of elderly or vulnerable persons
• Proceedings directly related to the COVID-19 public health emergency
• Other exceptions as approved by the Chief Justice

The presiding judge or designee of the presiding judge of each judicial district is authorized to determine how in-person court proceedings for the exceptions listed above are to be conducted.

Deadlines set forth in court rules, statutes, ordinances, administrative rules, or otherwise set to expire between March 13 to May 5, 2020 are extended through May 6, 2020. Statutes of limitations and statutes of repose set to expire between March 13 to May 5, 2020 are extended through May 6, 2020. Orders of protection and temporary injunctions set to expire between March 13 to May 5, 2020 are extended through May 6, 2020.

The order is intended to be interpreted broadly for protection of the public from risks associated with COVID-19.

Read the full Tennessee Supreme Court Order here. For more information about the current modified services offered the Montgomery County Government Court System, visit the Montgomery County Government web site. You can also find information related to COVID-19 at the county web site.

Partnership is Key to Prevention and Mitigation of COVID-19

March 25, 2020 - Communications Department

All Clarksville, Montgomery County Residents Urged to Take Preventive Measures

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – The Montgomery County Health Department is working in partnership with Montgomery County Government, the City of Clarksville, Fort Campbell, Tennova Healthcare, Premier Medical Group, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, other local schools, and other local, regional and state officials to implement prevention and mitigation strategies for local communities based on guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and by state leadership. Montgomery County has a local preparedness plan for pandemics that is practiced yearly, and this plan is the basis for the county’s response to COVID-19.

“We're working to ensure that everyone in Montgomery County that has a clinical picture consistent with COVID-19 can be tested,” said Joey Smith, Montgomery County Public Health Director. “We need all Montgomery County residents to join the effort to prevent further spread of this illness in our communities.”

“It is important to note that the testing process for COVID-19 is not like a rapid flu test, with results provided on the spot. Testing for COVID-19 is conducted in the laboratory, so the tests are not distributed to health care facilities. Rather, health care providers take samples from their patients and submit them to a laboratory for testing,” added Smith.

Many health care providers can assess patients for COVID-19 and collect samples to submit for testing. People who have concerns about their health should contact their regular health care providers, who can assess their risk and determine if they should be tested. People who don’t have insurance and have concerns they may have symptoms of COVID-19 can contact the Montgomery County Health Department for consultation and to talk through potential options for assessment.

Most people, particularly those with mild or no symptoms, do not need assessment for COVID-19. Public health authorities are prioritizing testing of people in high-risk categories: contacts of confirmed cases; people in occupations with exposure to large numbers of contacts; health care workers; nursing home residents; severely immunocompromised patients; critically ill patients; pregnant women and people who have traveled to areas with high case counts.

Anyone concerned about their health should first contact their regular health care provider. If you feel you need treatment, call the health care provider or facility first, so they can arrange for your arrival if you need to come in and can accommodate you while reducing risk of exposing other people to illness.

There are lots of things everyone can do to help flatten the curve and reduce the impact of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water (or alcohol-based hand rub) for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing
• Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with your arm or a tissue
• Clean and disinfect objects (e.g., cell phone, computer) and high touch surfaces regularly

Some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness, including older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or lung disease. It’s extra important for people in these groups to take actions to reduce their risk of getting sick with COVID-19:

• Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others
• When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often
• Avoid crowds as much as possible
• Avoid cruise travel and non-essential air travel
• During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible to further reduce your risk of being exposed

For a list of assessment sites, please visit https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov/remote-assessment-sites.html.

For additional information, please visit www.tn.gov/governor/covid-19.html, www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html and www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.

Montgomery County Clerk’s Office Update to Services

March 24, 2020 - Mayor's Office

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – The Montgomery County Clerk’s Office is informing citizens that expiration dates for vehicle registrations have been extended for those that expire in March and April. Based on Governor Bill Lee’s Executive Order, registration renewal expirations, temporary operating permits as well as disabled placard renewals that would have been renewed in March or April, have now been extended until June 15, 2020. Due to this extension, all Montgomery County registration renewals must be processed online at www.mcclerktn.org or by mail at the address listed below.

Montgomery County Clerk Kellie Jackson stated, “This is a much-needed benefit for our citizens during this time of restricted activity. With a large volume of registration expirations delayed until June 15, this not only helps alleviate concerns for citizens but also allows us to assist customers requesting other services that still have mandated deadlines.”

Montgomery County Clerk Kellie Jackson stated, “This is a much-needed benefit for our citizens during this time of restricted activity. With a large volume of registration expirations delayed until June 15, this not only helps alleviate concerns for citizens but also allows us to assist customers requesting other services that still have mandated deadlines.”

Marriage License requests will be processed by appointment only. Applicants should complete the online application and call for an appointment at the phone number below.

Services offered at the drive-thru are limited to title applications only, at this time, and will be open Mondays through Thursdays from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Monday, March 30 until further notice.

The following Montgomery County Clerk services have been temporarily suspended:

Passport Services; visit www.travel.state.gov for additional information on locations offering this service. Boat Registration Renewals (same owner, no change of ownership); visit www.tn.gov/twra for additional information on locations and to renew online. Hunting & Fishing License; visit www.tn.gov/twra for additional information on locations and to renew online.

For information on additional services and/or forms, please visit https://mcgtn.org/clerk or call the County Clerk’s at 931-648-5711. The mailing address is Montgomery County Clerk, 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 502, Clarksville, TN 37040 if you wish to renew by mail.

Montgomery County Mayor Executes Emergency Order to Change County Operational Times

March 24, 2020 - Mayor's Office

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett has implemented Emergency Order # 3 pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104 to change working hours for Montgomery County employees from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Executive Order #3 goes into effect Wednesday, March 25 at 12:01 a.m. The change to work hours begins Monday, March 30, 2020. Drive-through services will be open to the public from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.

With exception to emergency medical services, all county offices will be closed on Fridays until further notice. County employees will maintain week on, week off shifts with a percentage of employees from each department working at home to continue minimal contact and allow for social distancing.

Emergency Order # 3 contains the following information:

1. Emergency Order #1 of March 17, 2020, and Emergency Order #2 of March 23, 2020, are adopted herein and extended as the law may allow.
2. Four (4) day “work week” for Montgomery County Employees:
   1. All county offices will be limited to a 4-day work week consisting of Monday-Thursday, beginning March 30, 2020. All office hours will be from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM; and
   2. All First Responders, Emergency Service workers and support staff will continue to operate on their respective schedules; and
   3. In keeping with FLSA, all employees will be given a lunch break or break within a 6-hour time period and breaks during the day.
3. This Order shall be effective and enforceable at 12:01 am Central Daylight Time, on March 25, 2020, and shall remain in effect until the passing of seven (7) days, at which time the same will be extended, amended or otherwise addressed.
4. This Order shall be effective upon issuance, as it is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community.

“The decision to close our offices on Fridays provides us with additional time for deep and thorough cleaning between shifts. It is our priority to keep our citizens, including county public servants, as safe and well as possible,” said Mayor Durrett.

Because the COVID-19 situation is fluid, please continue to seek information on the county web site, Montgomery County Government social media and local media for updates. Montgomery County Government offers many services online on each department page through the government tab.

Please continue to follow CDC guidelines as we work through this health crisis. Additional information is available at https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html.

See Official Order Here

Mayors issue orders limiting activity

March 23, 2020 - Mayor's Office

Civil Emergency declared to fight spread of COVID-19

CLARKSVILLE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett and Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts announced Monday coordinated executive orders directing residents in Clarksville-Montgomery County to limit the size of social gatherings and restrict certain business operations.

The orders declare a Civil Emergency, expanding actions taken earlier by both mayors to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic by limiting gatherings and in-person contact.

“Many of you have already closed or altered your businesses to support these actions, and we are very grateful,” the mayors said in a joint statement. “This is an extremely difficult time for our County and City, especially for the business community. We are taking these steps because the sooner we stop the spread of the coronavirus, the sooner we can all get back to business.”

Mayor Durrett issued his order Monday afternoon, as did Mayor Pitts after it was approved by the City Council. The orders take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25, and shall remain in effect until 12:01 a.m. on April 1, 2020, at which time the orders can be extended in seven day increments.

Here is an overview of the coordinated orders, which incorporate all of the provisions of Gov. Bill Lee’s executive orders 16 and 17, which he issued Sunday, March 22. In some cases, the local executives add provisions beyond what Gov. Lee ordered:

• Social gatherings of 10 or more people are prohibited. In businesses, buildings and facilities that have a per person legal maximum occupancy of 50 persons or less, occupancy shall be temporarily reduced to 10, and those businesses, buildings, facilities that have a legal maximum occupancy of 51 persons or more, shall be temporarily reduced by one-half of their legal maximum occupancy.
• Restaurants, bars, and similar food and drink establishments are to exclusively offer drive-through, take-out or delivery options.
• Restaurants, bars, and similar food and drink establishments may sell alcohol by take-out or delivery (with the purchase of food) in closed containers to those who are age 21 and up.
• Gyms and fitness/exercise centers or substantially similar facilities are to temporarily close and suspend in-person services.
• The mayors’ orders also close movie theaters, performing arts theaters, yoga studios, dance studios, bowling alleys and arcades.
• The mayors’ orders close to public access the common area or public space of indoor or enclosed shopping malls.

The orders, also in line with Gov. Lee’s order, pursue additional measures to keep vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with underlying conditions safe.

• Visitation to nursing homes, retirement homes, and long-term care or assisted-living facilities is limited to visits involving essential care only.
• Businesses are encouraged to enact policies that take extra steps to assist vulnerable populations by considering measures such as shopping hours exclusive from the general public.

The mayors’ orders also direct City and County department heads to be proactive and are authorized to take any lawful action pertaining to their departments to effect and enforce the provisions of the orders for the purpose of preventing the spread of the COVID-19 disease.

Both mayors’ orders stress that the restrictions do not apply to critical infrastructure as defined by Homeland Security -- industries such as healthcare services, pharmaceutical, food supply, utilities, information technology and public safety.

In related decisions apart from the formal orders, County and City park open spaces will remain open, while facilities such as recreation centers are closed. Citizens using such public open spaces should adhere to CDC guidance on social distancing and hand hygiene, remaining 6 feet apart.

For information on the state and national response to COVID-19 and updates on working together to reduce infections, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html and https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html.

Montgomery County executive order: https://mocogovtn.org/storage/departments/government/covid19/eo2.pdf

City of Clarksville executive order: https://www.cityofclarksville.com/DocumentCenter/View/4599/City-Mayoral-Executive-Order-02

Gov. Lee’s orders: https://sos.tn.gov/products/division-publications/executive-orders-governor-bill-lee

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, I, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declared a State of Local Emergency on the 17th day of March 2020, granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 58-2-110. This declaration gives political subdivisions of government, both City and County, the ability to waive procedures relative to “performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community” and issued EMERGENCY ORDER #1. Pursuant to those same statutes, I extend that Declaration and further so ORDER the same for an additional seven days (7) and amend or supplement the same with EMERGENCY ORDER #2 as follows.

Emergency Order #2

1. In accordance with the provisions of Executive Order #17 of the Honorable Bill Lee, Governor, the President's Coronavirus Guidelines for America and the guidance from the CDC, to limit the spread of COVID-19 so that normal life and activities may resume as soon as possible:
   1. Persons in the Montgomery County, Tennessee shall not participate in social gatherings of ten (10) or more people. For purposes of this ORDER, social gatherings do not include the activities of blood collection/donation agencies like the Red Cross.This provision taken directly from the Executive Order #17 with minor revisions specific to Montgomery County, Tennessee.
   2. Persons in the State of Tennessee shall not eat or drink onsite at restaurants, bars, or other similar food or drink establishments, and shall not visit gyms or fitness/exercise centers or substantially similar facilities. This provision is taken directly from the Executive Order #17.
   3. Restaurants, bars, and similar food or drink establishments, including nightclubs, shall not be open to persons, except only to offer drive­ through, pickup, carry-out, or delivery service for food or drink, and persons are highly encouraged to use such drive-through, pickup, carry-out, or delivery options to support such businesses during this emergency. This provision is taken directly from the Executive Order #17.
   4. Movie theaters and preforming arts theaters, arcades, gyms, indoor exercise and fitness facilities, yoga studios, dance studios, and bowling alley, fitness/exercise centers or substantially similar facilities shall not be open to members or the public, although persons are highly encouraged to use any available electronic or virtual fitness options to support such businesses during this emergency. This provision is taken directly from the Executive Order #17 with minor revisions specific to Montgomery County, Tennessee.
   5. Persons in the State of Tennessee shall not visit nursing homes, retirement homes, or long-term care or assisted-living facilities, unless to provide essential assistance or to visit residents receiving imminent end-of-life care, provided such visits may be accomplished without unreasonable risk to other residents. Persons are highly encouraged to use available electronic or virtual communication to spend time with their family members, friends, loved ones, and other persons in those facilities. This provision is taken directly from the Executive Order #17.
   6. Persons and businesses should take particular care to protect the well­ being of those populations especially vulnerable to COVID-19, including older adults and persons with compromised immune systems or serious chronic medical conditions, by, among other things, taking care to adhere to all precautions advised by the President and the CDC and refraining to the extent practicable from physical contact and association. Businesses should further consider implementing measures to protect our most vulnerable populations by, for example, offering delivery service or special opportunities for members of vulnerable populations to shop in retail establishments exclusive of the general population. This provision is taken directly from the Executive Order #17.
   7. This Order does not mandate sheltering in place and does not prohibit persons from visiting places necessary to maintain health and economic well-being, including grocery stores, gas stations, parks, and banks, among other places, so long as they observe the necessary precautions advised by the President and the CDC to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This provision is taken directly from the Executive Order #17.
   8. All critical infrastructure remains operational, and government entities and businesses will continue providing important and essential services. This provision is taken directly from the Executive Order #17.
   9. For offices, workplaces, and businesses that remain open, employees should work from home where feasible, and employees and their customers should practice good hygiene and observe the necessary precautions advised by the President and the CDC to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This provision is taken directly from the Executive Order #17.
   10. As to all facilities and businesses open to the public that are not precluded from operation or limited in allowing the public to be on the premises under Emergency Order # 1 or hereinabove, and in order to reduce the number of persons on the premises at any one time, those businesses’ whose premises have a per person legal load capacity of 50 or less must take affirmative actions to limit and enforce a limit of the number of persons who can be within that premise to less than 10 at any given time; and those business whose premises have a per person legal load capacity of 51 or more must take affirmative actions to limit and enforce a limit of the number of persons who can be within that premise to less than one half (1/2) of the per person legal load capacity at any given time. This provision is specific to Montgomery County only.
   11. Public Access to the interior common area or public space of all indoor or enclosed shopping malls in which at least part of the stores has interior entrances/exits shall be closed to in-person public access during the effective time period of this emergency order. This provision is specific to Montgomery County only.
2. The following are taken directly from Executive Order #17 of the Honorable Governor, Bill Lee and as Beer, but not alcoholic beverages are regulated in the unincorporated area, these are adopted as they relate to the sale of Beer. As to Beer, the provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 57, and related rules and other state or local laws, orders, rules, or regulations are temporarily suspended to the extent necessary to allow restaurants and limited service restaurants, as defined in Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 57-4-102, and wine-only restaurants, as permitted by Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 57-4-lOl(c), to sell for take-out or delivery alcoholic beverages or beer, so long as the following conditions are met:
   1. Any sale of an alcoholic beverage or beer is for consumption off the premises of the restaurant, limited service restaurant, or wine-only restaurant (collectively referred to hereafter as "restaurant") and is accompanied by the sale of food in the same order;
   2. An alcoholic beverage or beer sold under this Paragraph 5 must be packaged in a container or bottle with a secure lid or cap and in a manner designed to prevent consumption without removal of the lid or cap, and customers shall not remove such lids or caps while operating a motor vehicle;
   3. Single servings of alcoholic beverages or beer and multi-serving bottles or containers of beer or wine normally sold by the restaurant may be sold under this Paragraph 5, but not bottles of spirits or liquor;
   4. A restaurant selling alcoholic beverages or beer under this Paragraph 5 shall prominently post a warning in a manner reasonably calculated to provide notice to customers of open container laws, which must include the following language from Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-10-416: "No driver shall consume any alcoholic beverage or beer or possess an open container of alcoholic beverage or beer while operating a motor vehicle in this state.";
   5. An employee or contractor of a restaurant providing or delivering alcoholic beverages or beer to a customer under this Paragraph 5 shall not provide or deliver such beverages to any person under twenty-one (21) years of age and may not provide or deliver such beverages to a person who is visibly intoxicated. Any such employee providing or delivering alcoholic beverages or beer must visually inspect a valid government-issued document deemed acceptable to the restaurant that includes the photograph and birth date of the adult consumer attempting to make an alcoholic beverage purchase and confirms that the person is at least twenty-one (21) years of age;
   6. A person delivering alcoholic beverages or beer under this Paragraph 5 must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and must have a valid driver license; and
   7. An alcoholic beverage or beer sold under this Paragraph 5 must be sold during current operating hours.
   8. All Beer permits issued by Montgomery County for the unincorporated area authorize the sale of beer for the consumption on and off-site. The beer permits are limited now to only off-site consumption. Further, or on-site consumption is not allowed. This provision is specific to Montgomery County only.
   9. Any state or local law, order, rule, or regulation inconsistent with this Order is hereby suspended.
3. In accordance with the provisions of Executive Order #16 of the Honorable Bill Lee, Governor, the President's Coronavirus Guidelines for America and the guidance from the CDC, to limit the spread of COVID-19 so that normal life and activities may resume as soon as possible do hereby further order the following:
   1. As a reasonable measure to protect the safety and welfare of Tennesseans while ensuring that government business may continue in a manner that is open and accessible to the public, the provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8, Chapter 44, Part 1, are hereby suspended for all Montgomery County, Tennessee (the governing body) public meetings as necessary to allow a governing body, as defined in Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 8-44-102, to meet and conduct its essential business by electronic means, rather than being required to gather a quorum of members physically present at the same location. In doing so, the governing body will conduct that meeting electronically without any members of the General Public allowed, only the attending members of the commission, and staff directly related to the meeting will be in physical attendance as determined by the Chair, to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Tennesseans considering the COVID-19 outbreak, subject to the following conditions:
   2. The governing body meetings conducted by electronic means under this Order shall remain open and accessible to public attendance by electronic means, as follows: Montgomery County will make reasonable efforts to ensure that the public access to the meeting via electronic means is live access, but if the governing body cannot provide such live public access despite reasonable efforts, the governing body will make a clear audio or video recording of the meeting available to the public as soon as practicable following the meeting, and in no event more than two business days after the meeting; and
   3. This Order does not in any way limit existing quorum, meeting notice, or voting requirements under law, and governing bodies will provide the public with clear notice of the meeting agenda and how the public can access the meeting electronically at a time and location reasonably accessible to all members of the public; and
   4. All other provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 8-44-108(c), remain in effect; and
   5. All such meetings shall be conducted in a manner consistent with Article I, Section 19 of the Tennessee Constitution. This provision (3), and all subparts, is taken directly from the Executive Order #16 with the proper outline and notice of procedures for compliance.
4. The Montgomery County Emergency Order #1 by Mayor Durrett, of March 17, 2020 is adopted herein and extended as the law may allow.
5. This Order is not applicable to those entities identified by their work as critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply.
6. This Order shall be effective and enforceable at 12:01 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, and shall remain in effect for seven days, at which time the same will be extended, amended or otherwise addressed.

It is so ORDERED, Mayor Jim Durrett, this the 23rd day of March 2020.This Order shall be effective upon issuance.

See Official Order Here

Mayors Urge Residents to Avoid Gatherings - County, City Leaders Call for 'Social Distancing'

March 20, 2020 - Mayor's Office

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – County Mayor Jim Durrett and Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts are urging residents to shelter in place as much as possible, practice social distancing and avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people as the community battles the COVID-19 pandemic.

The federal Centers for Disease Control has issued this advice: “All events of 10 or more people should be canceled or held virtually, and people should stay 3-6 feet apart.”

The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Tennessee climbed to 228 Friday as testing increased in the state and around the country. Three cases were confirmed in Montgomery County. Both mayors formally declared states of local emergency this week to help city and county governments deal with growing spread of the coronavirus outbreak.

While the mayors’ advice, issued after a meeting with public health and legal advisers Friday afternoon, is not considered a legal order, they are urging people not to gather in places of worship, at gyms, restaurants or bars over the weekend.

Both mayors thanked local businesses and churches who already announced decisions to close and minimize gatherings.

“People should only get out to conduct essential missions, such as buying groceries and medical supplies,” City Mayor Joe Pitts said. “We urge food businesses to be responsible and offer take-out orders, drive-thru service, curbside pickup, and delivery service, while not allowing large gatherings.”

Mayor Jim Durrett addressed the issue of church attendance:

“We are asking churches to please do your part to keep COVID-19 to a minimum in our community,” Mayor Durrett said. “A church is essential but prayer is more essential.”

Residents are encouraged to visit the CDC website for updates on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Montgomery County Mayor Declares State of Local Emergency

March 17, 2020 - Mayor's Office

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-2-110, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett has declared a State of Local Emergency for Montgomery County, Tennessee. This declaration gives political subdivisions of government, both City and County, the ability to waive procedures relative to “performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community.”

In announcing this declaration, Mayor Durrett has advised all Constitutional Officers and County Department Heads that physical presence in county facilities from the general public will be limited, beginning Thursday, March 19, 2020, through Friday, April 3, 2020. County offices will remain staffed. Certain court functions and filings will still occur, however, there will be limited public access in the buildings. All doors will be posted with signage indicating office phone numbers, extensions and other pertinent information. Residents are also encouraged to take advantage of the many online service options Montgomery County offers through the various departments at mcgtn.org.

All county departments have been directed to minimize staffing and create work shifts that separate supervisors and key department personnel. Shifts will work for one week at a time in the office/facility while the other shift(s) work to answer calls and emails from home. The work environment will be cleaned prior to the next team rotating into the county facility. Employees who are sick have been directed to stay home and follow the CDC guidelines in seeking medical attention.

“As of 2 p.m. today, we did not have a confirmed case of COVID-19 in Montgomery County. However, I have decided to take action to minimize the spread of this virus with our workforce and community. This decision is not based on panic or fear but is a proactive step to ‘flattening the curve’ of this disease. I would rather be accused of over-reacting for the safety of our community than looking back in retrospect wishing I would have done more to protect the citizens of Montgomery County,” said Mayor Durrett.

“I am also requesting that the citizens and businesses of Montgomery County follow our lead and take proactive steps to prevent the spread of this virus. I realize taking some of these steps will be very difficult and, in some cases, may cause financial loss. Unfortunately, if we do not make changes, the long-term risk is likely to be much more costly,” said Mayor Durrett.

Many small businesses, including the foodservice industry, have or are formulating provisions for drive-through or pick-up options. Citizens are encouraged to continue patronizing all businesses in a way that minimizes social contact.

As precautionary measures are put in place, please don’t forget about those who work in public safety or in the food chain industry. These are the people who must continue to provide the services and food we need.

PLEASE follow the guidelines that have been set forth by the CDC;

1. Listen to and follow the directions of your state and local authorities.
2. If you feel sick, stay home. Do not go to work. Contact your medical provider.
3. If your children are sick, keep them at home. Do not send them to school or daycare. Contact your medical provider.
4. If someone in your household has tested positive for the coronavirus, keep the entire household at home. Do not go to work. Do not go to school. Contact your medical provider.
5. If you are an older adult, stay home and away from other people.
6. If you are a person with a serious underlying health condition that can put you at increased risk (for example, a condition that impairs your lung or heart function or weakens your immune system), stay home and away from other people.
7. Even if you are young, or otherwise healthy, you are at risk and your activities can increase the risk for others. It is critical that you do your part to stop the spread of the coronavirus:
   1. Work or engage in schooling from home whenever possible.
   2. If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule. You and your employers should follow CDC guidance to protect your health at work.
   3. Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.
   4. Avoid eating or drinking in bars, restaurants, and food courts – use drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options.
   5. Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits.
   6. Do not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.
8. Practice good hygiene:
   1. Wash your hands, especially after touching any frequently used item or surface.
   2. Avoid touching your face.
   3. Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow.
   4. Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.

Lastly, Mayor Durrett encourages people to help each other whenever possible. “If you are well enough and conditions require you to stay at home and a neighbor is working; please volunteer to do things like; mow their lawn, haul their garbage (wear protective gloves), pick up groceries or help in whatever way you can. Together, we will get through this.”

New COVID-19 APP Feature in MoCoInfo

March 20, 2020 - Sheriff's Office

CLARKSVILLE, TN – For the latest information on the Coronavirus from the CDC and Montgomery County Government, visit the MoCoInfo App and select the COVID-19 icon.

To download the app go to the Apple Store or Google Play and search Mont. You can also click on this link.

The app will provide alerts from the CDC, travel notices, and answer frequently asked questions. It will also provide alerts and news from local officials pertaining directly to Clarksville and Montgomery County.

“The added COVID-19 feature on the MoCoInfo App provides us with another opportunity to keep citizens informed. I encourage everyone to download the MoCoInfo App to stay up to date with what is happening in Montgomery County,” said Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett.

To receive alerts from the CDC and local officials, you will need to turn on alerts in the settings menu. Please see attached graphic for directions.

New Traffic Pattern at Veteran's Plaza

March 20, 2020 - Sheriff's Office

CLARKSVILLE, TN – Please see the graphics below for the new traffic pattern for visitors to Veteran’s Plaza at 350 Pageant Lane.

The County Health Department is operating a drive-thru testing site for Coronavirus for individuals experiencing fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Follow the signs when you enter the parking lot.

The lobby at the County Clerk’s Office is closed but citizens can still conduct business at the drive-thru window. Follow the signs when you enter the parking lot.

For all other county offices please call the office and/or visit their respective web page at www.mcgtn.org for instructions on how to conduct business.

CoronaVirus Update for Montgomery County

March 19, 2020 - Mayor's Office

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TN – Montgomery County Government is working to provide information from our local health professionals to help disseminate facts about assessment and testing of COVID-19 within our community. There have been many rumors on symptoms, assessments and testing that are not factual.

Based on information from the Montgomery County Health Department and other medical providers people are asking to be tested for COVID-19 who do not exhibit symptoms. If you call your medical provider and mention that you are sick and may need to be tested, they can triage and assess your condition and arrange to do a nasal pharyngeal swab for coronavirus if you have the COVID-19 symptoms, which are: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Individuals who have the symptoms will be tested for the virus.

“Medical personnel are following the same protocol with testing for COVID-19 they practice with any other sickness – meaning that tests are given based on symptoms. If we swabbed people who are just curious, with no symptoms, that could put undue strain on the health care system, slow the process of getting lab test results and could put people at higher risk,” said Director of Montgomery County Joey Smith.

The County Health Department and other medical facilities are triaging and assessing people who come through the doors but do not conduct nasal swabs for persons who do not exhibit the symptoms. Just like being swabbed for strep throat or streptococcal pharyngitis and having that sent to a lab for testing; local medical providers can provide nose or nasal pharyngeal swabs that are sent out to a lab for COVID-19 testing for those who exhibit the symptoms described by the CDC. Any person who presents the symptoms is asked to self-quarantine until their results are back.

Assessment means that you have been seen and the medical facility has determined that a swab is needed to be sent for testing or that a swab is not needed and there may be another medical issue. Montgomery County Health Department in partnership with Blanchfield Army Community Hospital (BACH), Tennova and Premier Medical Group have conducted more nose swabs for citizens who have a fever, cough and shortness of breath than any other area in the region thus far. Testing began in Montgomery County quickly after the specimen instructions were sent from the Tennessee Department of Health the first week of March 2020.

The number of people testing positive for COVID-19 changes daily and the number of tests being conducted is rising. As of March 19, approximately 6.5% of the swabs tested at the Tennessee State Public Health Laboratory came back positive. As of today, March 19, the number of positive cases for Tennessee is 154, including 1 in Montgomery County.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced this week, that there will be more remote testing sites. The list of sites will be shared on the Montgomery County Government Facebook Page.

Please continue to follow CDC guidelines as we work through this health crisis. Additional information is available at www.tn.gov/governor/covid-19.html and www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html.

Emergency Order #1

Pursuant to the authority in TCA 58-8-104, l, Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, declare a State of Local Emergency granting to the County Mayor certain powers as allowed under TCA 582-110. This declaration gives political subdivisions of government, both City and County, the ability to waive procedures relative to "performance of public works and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community."

1. All of the Constitutional Officers and County Department heads controlling or supervising facilities that allow the General Public physical access will be limited, beginning Thursday, March 19, 2020 through Friday, April 3, 2020.
2. County offices will remain open and with limited staff. Certain court functions and filings will still occur; however, there will be limited public access to those buildings consistent with the Order of the Tennessee Supreme Court regarding access to the courts. All County facility doors will be posted with signage indicating the office phone numbers, extensions, website and online services access as well as other pertinent information for the transaction of the public's business by phone, fax, internet, and/or other means that office or department may develop.
3. All county departments have been directed to minimize staffing and create work shifts that will separate supervisors and key department personnel. Shifts will work for one week at a time and the office/facility will be cleaned prior to the next team rotating in. Employees who are sick have been directed to stay home and follow the CDC guidelines in seeking medical attention. A temporary directive of staffing management and directives in the application of sick leave and other benefits is adopted and has been delivered to Human Resources.

This Order shall be effective upon issuance. This the 17th day of March 2020.

See Official Order Here

Montgomery County Government Offers Multiple Online Services

March 16, 2020 - Mayor's Office

Montgomery County, TN — Montgomery County has numerous services available online through multiple departments. Using these online services limits the amount of social contact during the state of emergency our country is experiencing due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Montgomery County citizens need to use online services whenever possible to limit the transmission of COVID-19 to the citizens of Montgomery County. We must all do our part to reduce the possibility of transmitting the coronavirus,” stated Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett.

Included in this release, is a list Montgomery County departments that offer services online to the public. All departments and elected official offices can be found by selecting GOV at the top of the Montgomery County Government homepage at https://mcgtn.org/

Archives: Residents can use the Research & Records Requests on the Archives page at https://mcgtn.org/archives

Assessor of Property: https://mcgtn.org/assessor
Data pertaining to real property is available and searchable online. All business with customers will be conducted via phone and email, in-office and remotely. Customers who come into the office will be able to call from the lobby and get their information over the phone. Copies will be sent to the printer in the lobby.

Bi-County: https://mcgtn.org/bi-county
User Fee Payments can be made online and mailed in.

Building & Codes https://mcgtn.org/building-codes
Permits, re-inspection fees, AFT and septic applications can be done online. State Septic Website: https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/wr-water-resources/septic-decentralized-systems/wr-sds-online-application-for-ground-water-protection-services.html.

Circuit Court Clerk: https://mcgtn.org/circuit
Jury duty has been cancelled until further notice. Information on upcoming cases, including delays, can all be found on the circuit court page.

County Clerk Office: https://mcgtn.org/clerk
The County Clerk’s office offers several services online to include online vehicle renewals.

County Trustee: https://mcgtn.org/trustee
Visit the County Trustee to pay taxes and provide a change of address.

Election Commission: https://mcgtn.org/election
Online voter registration can be done at https://ovr.govote.tn.gov/.

Library: https://d6.mcgtn.org/library
See library page for a list of their many online services.

Register of Deeds: https://mcgtn.org/deeds
Basic questions can be answered over the phone. Documents can also be emailed to the public upon request.

Soil Conservation: https://montgomerysoilconservation.com/contact/
Soil Conservation provides conservation program applications, farm planning and technical assistance, technical soils information, reimbursement forms submittal, and program contract processing/payments via phone and online. On-site farm visits are determined individually.

Veterans Service Office (VSO): https://mcgtn.org/vso
VSO advises veterans to call the office at 931-553-5173 to make an appointment. For those who have an appointment, they will screen to see if it is possible to provide the veteran services over the phone.

“Montgomery County Government serves thousands of people every day through the numerous county departments, and will continue to do so. We are asking two things of residents; to use online services when possible and to delay the use of some in-person services where possible in order to lower the risk of COVID-19 to our residents,” said Mayor Durrett.

For the latest info, the Tennessee Department of Health updates all positive cases of coronavirus disease by county (COVID-19) at https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html at 2 p.m. daily. Also, the CDC provides the following information for best practices to avoid COVID-19 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html.

Montgomery County Government Makes Changes Due to Concerns Regarding COVID-19

March 13, 2020 - Mayor's Office

Montgomery County, TN — Some Montgomery County Government Services have been altered in order to minimize the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The changes are due to an order from the Tennessee Supreme Court regarding court proceedings as well as the county’s decision to minimize the number of gatherings through the suspension of county facility rentals, and adjustments to employee practices for greater protection.

Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett has closed the court complex to the public on March 16. 2020. “I realize Monday’s closure will cause an inconvenience for some, but it will allow us to work with multiple departments of county government and our judicial partners to identify efficient ways to meet the requirements of the order. As we move forward, it is our intent to allow for more matters to come before our judicial partners to prevent a major backlog,” stated Mayor Durrett.

The Supreme Court of Tennessee’s decision to suspend all in-person proceedings in all state and local courts in Tennessee, including but not limited to municipal, juvenile, general sessions, trial, and appellate courts, which are suspended from the close of business Friday, March 13, 2020 through Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

Judge Jill Ayers stated, “We are working to avoid the typically packed courtrooms. We want the public to understand that courts will still be open. Everything and anything we can continue to do, within the parameters of what the Tennessee Supreme Court has sent out, we will do.”

Exceptions include proceedings necessary to protect constitutional rights of criminal defendants; civil and criminal jury trials that are in progress as of March 13; proceedings related to relief from abuse, including but not limited to orders of protection; proceedings related to emergency child custody orders; department of Children’s Services emergency related to child protection; proceedings related to petitions for temporary injunctive relief; proceedings related to emergency mental health orders; proceedings related to emergency protection of elderly or vulnerable persons; proceedings directly related to the COVID-19 public health emergency and exceptions as approved by the Chief Justice.

“This is new and it is fluid. We will continue to assess how we can provide services, possibly in a different way, to meet the needs of the public and the court. Any updates on how services are provided will be shared with local media and on social media,” said Judge Ayers.

Furthermore, Montgomery County is suspending future rentals of all facilities where people gather until April 15, 2020. The County will honor deposits for rentals or confirmation for rentals that have been made through Montgomery County Parks and Recreation. However, it has been recommended by health officials that to decrease the spread of COVID-19, gatherings of people should be limited. Based on that information, Montgomery County highly encourages canceling already scheduled events in the parks. Full refunds will be provided for cancellations.

Little League International has recommended that all leagues temporarily suspend activity until April 6, 2020. Montgomery County strongly advises that leagues follow the recommendation and encourages contact with Montgomery County Parks and Recreation.

Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett stated, “Effects from the coronavirus are having an impact on the world. There is no reason to panic, however, it is important that we all do our part to prevent the spread of the virus. A critical point in the prevention of spreading the virus is to ‘flatten the curve,’ to avoid a peak in the number of people who contract the virus. We are taking steps to minimize gatherings of large groups and will continue to do our part to educate ourselves on doing our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We encourage everyone to educate themselves on the guidelines set by the CDC at cdc.gov.

In all county departments, employees shall observe rigorous contamination control standards while at work. This includes the use of appropriate cleaners in the workstation, frequent hand washing, use of hand sanitizer, avoiding physical contact with co-workers and customers, and social distancing -- maintaining a buffer of 3-feet of space away from co-workers and customers.

Workplace meetings and employee travel have been minimized. Employees who are ill with a recent onset of lower respiratory symptoms and cough, regardless of whether a fever is present, have been asked to seek medical evaluation and avoid contact with others.

“We are also asking the public to do their part by staying away from public buildings if they are sick. Taking a common-sense approach to staying at home if you are ill, will help us lessen the impacts of COVID-19 in Montgomery County. We appreciate citizens working to help us,” said Mayor Durrett.

The Tennessee Department of Health updates all positive cases of coronavirus disease by county (COVID-19) at https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html at 2 p.m. daily. Also, the CDC provides the following information for best practices to avoid COVID-19 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/workplace-school-and-home-guidance.pdf.

MoCo Virus Control Action Plan

Montgomery County Virus Control Action Plan

Out of an abundance of caution, we have considered these actions necessary to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 virus. These directives deal with how County personnel will continue to provide essential County services, while maximizing the health and safety of our workforce.

GENERAL CONTAMINATION CONTROL

All County employees shall observe rigorous contamination control standards while at work. This includes use of appropriate cleaners in your work station, frequent hand washing, use of hand sanitizer, avoiding physical contact with co-workers and customers, and social distancing -- maintaining a buffer of 3-feet of space away from co-workers and customers.

MEETINGS

Workplace meetings and gatherings should occur only when:

• No satisfactory alternative (video chat, teleconference, etc.) exists to replace meeting in person

• No attendee has fever or lower respiratory symptoms/cough

• The purpose of the meeting is critical to Montgomery County operations

• The meeting is limited to the smallest number of persons essential to the purpose.

TRAVEL

All County-related business travel is cancelled until further notice. Essential business travel may be approved on an individual basis by the County Mayor or the Elected Official of the department. Essential business travel is defined as travel to maintain a certification or professional license.. Business travel should only occur when no other options are available.

Personal travel should occur after exercise of sound common sense judgment.

TIME OFF, WORK-FROM-HOME

• Persons who are ill with recent onset of lower respiratory symptoms and cough, regardless of whether fever is present, should seek medical evaluation and avoid contact with others.

• Such persons should stay home and not report for work, using available sick leave and accrued time off. Persons are required to contact their supervisor immediately and explain their situation.

• If time-off benefits are exhausted, staff should consult with their Elected Officials or Department Heads, along with Human Resources about ways to extend time off benefits, essentially establishing a negative leave balance. The goal is not to create undue economic hardship for an employee who has the virus.

• Elected Officials/Department Heads may designate some staff for remote site or work-from-home duty. The Elected Official should approve this in advance and the approval shall be in writing. Department Heads shall get approval, in writing, from County Mayor/Chief of Staff before approving remote site or work from home duty. Systems of recording time worked and productivity shall be maintained by Elected Officials/Department Heads.

Employees who are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19 virus should utilize their medical provider or the County’s Onsite Clinic as soon as possible. Below are resources and contact information.

BCBS and Other Resources

The County’s health provider BCBS, offers a website with information about the coronavirus and prevention measures. BCBS is expanding access to care during the COVID-19 health risk by waiving employee costs for COVID-19 testing and telehealth consultations.( add website link)

COVID-19 Testing

BCBS will cover FDA-approved COVID-19 testing, as well as tests currently pending FDA approval. BCBS is also waiving employees’ costs for both in-network and out-of-network providers for these tests.

Telehealth Visits

BCBS is offering $0 visits for PhysicianNow® Powered by MDLive visits for employees. This begins immediately and is in effect until April 30. Employees may use PhysicianNow for any service typically offered under their telehealth benefit, not just for COVID-19 concerns.

County employees can use PhysicianNow by logging in to your online account at bcbst.com/member and click Talk with Doctor now (make hyperlink). Or call 1-888-283-6691.

Onsite Health Clinic

You can always contact and schedule an appointment at our Onsite Clinic at 931-906-2001.

Employees are also urged to visit CDC.gov(make hyperlink) for authoritative, helpful and updated information about the COVID-19 Virus.

Tax Relief Deadlines Have Been Extended by State Comptroller’s Office

April 2, 2020 - Communications Department

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – The Montgomery County Trustee’s Office was informed by the Tennessee State Comptroller’s Office that Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-1-116 (2017), that originally covered court proceedings, now covers tax relief deadlines.

This means property tax relief and tax freeze applications that were originally due back to the Trustee’s office on April 6th have been extended to May 6, 2020. Therefore, the deadline for applicants to submit their applications to the Montgomery County Trustee’s Office is May 6th

“It makes my heart happy that this extension is being offered to the disabled, elderly, veterans and surviving spouses of our veterans. We are working diligently to offer tax relief to those who need it most,” said Montgomery County Trustee Kimberly Wiggins.

Last week the Trustee’s Office issued 252 tax relief checks totaling $37,584, this week another 122 checks have been issued so far, totaling $14,521 and there are approximately 130 additional checks to be issued for about $17,000 on Monday.

“We want to ensure that those who meet the qualifications can benefit from the tax relief and have this supplement as quickly as possible as approved through our county commission. It is our privilege to assist those who may need it most in these difficult times,” added Wiggins.

For questions about tax relief or tax freeze in Montgomery County, please visit https://mcgtn.org/trustee or call 931-648-5717.

President Donald J. Trump is Providing Economic Relief to American Workers, Families, and Businesses Impacted by The Coronavirus

“The legislation developed in the Senate is the first step to restoring confidence and stability to America's economy.” – President Donald J. Trump

SECURING EMERGENCY RELIEF: President Donald J. Trump is signing bipartisan legislation to provide relief to American families and workers during the coronavirus outbreak.

• The President worked with Congress to secure bipartisan legislation that will provide emergency relief to families and small businesses that have been impacted by the coronavirus.
  • This unprecedented relief package totals more than $2 trillion.
• The CARES Act provides much needed economic relief for American families and businesses who are hurting through no fault of their own.
• This legislation will provide assistance to America’s heroic healthcare workers who are on the frontlines of this outbreak.
  • $100 billion will go to healthcare providers, including hospitals on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • $27 billion will go to bolstering life-saving capabilities, including developing vaccines and the development, purchase, and distribution of critical supplies.
  • $45 billion will go to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Relief Fund, more than doubling the amount available to support the President’s Emergency and Disaster Declarations to empower State, local, and tribal leaders to effectively respond.

SUPPORTING FAMILIES: This legislative package brings security to American families by providing them with economic assistance during this time of crisis.

• This legislation provides tax free payments—treated as a refundable tax credit—to Americans, giving families the immediate financial support they need.
• Couples earning up to $150,000 will receive $2,400, plus an additional $500 for each child.
• Individuals earning up to $75,000 will receive $1,200, plus an additional $500 for each child.
• These payments will phase out for those earning over $75,000, $112,500 for head of household filers, and $150,000 for married couples filing joint tax returns.
• The legislation provides much needed assistance to Americans out of work.
• The CARES Act allows States to temporarily increase unemployment benefits and receive Federal reimbursement for the additional amount.
• Encourages States to waive the typical one week waiting period and provides an additional 13 weeks of benefits
• Creates a new program to assist the self-employed and independent contractors who are unemployed due to the pandemic.
• The legislation provides relief for homeowners and renters, ensuring that Americans’ homes are not threatened by the coronavirus.
• Enables payment forbearance for federally backed mortgages, requires a foreclosure and eviction moratorium for homeowners with such mortgages, and imposes an eviction moratorium for renters in federally supported housing.
• Suspends penalties for withdrawing up to $100,000 from retirement accounts.
• Allows a high-deductible health plan with a health savings account to cover telehealth services prior to a patient reaching the deductible.
• The legislation provides $3.5 billion in emergency funding to our child care providers to stay open, keep payroll, and prioritize the child care needs of healthcare, emergency, and sanitation workers all across our country.

BOLSTERING THE ECONOMY: This legislation will strengthen our economy by providing needed financial assistance to America’s small businesses and workers.

• Small businesses that have been hurt by coronavirus will receive the help they need to survive and prosper.
• This legislation provides small businesses and nonprofits comprised of 500 or fewer employees with almost $350 billion in partially forgivable loans.
• The maximum loan amount for 7(a) business loans will be temporarily increased.
• This legislation also provides $17 billion to forgive 6 months of payments on any existing Small Business Administration non-disaster loans.
• The CARES Act provides critical payroll tax relief for small businesses.
• The legislation expands the emergency disaster loan program by funding $10 billion in advances on loan applications to rapidly help small businesses cover expenses including sick leave, payroll, and rent.
• Businesses adversely affected by the coronavirus are eligible for a tax credit of $5,000 for wages paid to each employee.
• The CARES Act includes $500 billion for the Treasury and Federal Reserve to provide liquidity and purchase business, municipal, and State debt.
• If needed, the Federal Reserve can leverage funds of more than $4 trillion in financial support during this time of disaster.

Paycheck Protection Program FAQs for Small Businesses

Where can I apply for the Paycheck Protection Program?

You can apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) at any lending institution that is approved to participate in the program through the existing U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) lending program and additional lenders approved by the Department of Treasury. This could be the bank you already use, or a nearby bank. There are thousands of banks that already participate in the SBA’s lending programs, including numerous community banks. You do not have to visit any government institution to apply for the program. You can call your bank or find SBA-approved lenders in your area through SBA’s online Lender Match tool. You can call your local Small Business Development Center or Women’s Business Center and they will provide free assistance and guide you to lenders.

Who is eligible for the loan?

You are eligible for a loan if you are a small business that employs 500 employees or fewer, or if your business is in an industry that has an employee-based size standard through SBA that is higher than 500 employees. In addition, if you are a restaurant, hotel, or a business that falls within the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 72, “Accommodation and Food Services,” and each of your locations has 500 employees or fewer, you are eligible. Tribal businesses, 501(c)(19) veteran organizations, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including religious organizations, will be eligible for the program. Nonprofit organizations are subject to SBA’s affiliation standards. Independently owned franchises with under 500 employees, who are approved by SBA, are also eligible. Eligible franchises can be found through SBA’s Franchise Directory.

I am an independent contractor or gig economy worker, am I eligible?

Yes. Sole proprietors, independent contractors, gig economy workers, and self-employed individuals are all eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program.

What is the maximum amount I can borrow?

The amount any small business is eligible to borrow is 250 percent of their average monthly payroll expenses, up to a total of $10 million. This amount is intended to cover 8 weeks of payroll expenses and any additional amounts for making payments towards debt obligations. This 8 week period may be applied to any time frame between February 15, 2020 and June 30, 2020. Seasonal business expenses will be measured using a 12-week period beginning February 15, 2019, or March 1, 2019, whichever the seasonal employer chooses.

How can I use the money such that the loan will be forgiven?

The amount of principal that may be forgiven is equal to the sum of expenses for payroll, and existing interest payments on mortgages, rent payments, leases, and utility service agreements. Payroll costs include employee salaries (up to an annual rate of pay of $100,000), hourly wages and cash tips, paid sick or medical leave, and group health insurance premiums. If you would like to use the Paycheck Protection Program for other business-related expenses, like inventory, you can, but that portion of the loan will not be forgiven.

When is the loan forgiven?

The loan is forgiven at the end of the 8-week period after you take out the loan. Borrowers will work with lenders to verify covered expenses and the proper amount of forgiveness.

What is the covered period of the loan?

The covered period during which expenses can be forgiven extends from February 15, 2020 to June 30, 2020. Borrowers can choose which 8 weeks they want to count towards the covered period, which can start as early as February 15, 2020.

How much of my loan will be forgiven?

The purpose of the Paycheck Protection Program is to help you retain your employees, at their current base pay. If you keep all of your employees, the entirety of the loan will be forgiven. If you still lay off employees, the forgiveness will be reduced by the percent decrease in the number of employees. If your total payroll expenses on workers making less than $100,000 annually decreases by more than 25 percent, loan forgiveness will be reduced by the same amount. If you have already laid off some employees, you can still be forgiven for the full amount of your payroll cost if you rehire your employees by June 30, 2020.

Am I responsible for interest on the forgiven loan amount?

No, if the full principal of the PPP loan is forgiven, the borrower is not responsible for the interest accrued in the 8-week covered period. The remainder of the loan that is not forgiven will operate according to the loan terms agreed upon by you and the lender.

What are the interest rate and terms for the loan amount that is not forgiven?

The terms of the loan not forgiven may differ on a case-by-case basis. However, the maximum terms of the loan feature a 10-year term with interest capped at 4 percent and a 100 percent loan guarantee by the SBA. You will not have to pay any fees on the loan, and collateral requirements and personal guarantees are waived. Loan payments will be deferred for at least six months and up to one year starting at the origination of the loan.

When is the application deadline for the Paycheck Protection Program?

Applicants are eligible to apply for the PPP loan until June 30th, 2020.

I took out a bridge loan through my state, am I eligible to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program?

Yes, you can take out a state bridge loan and are still be eligible for the PPP loan.

If I have applied for, or received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) related to COVID- 19 before the Paycheck Protection Program became available, will I be able to refinance into a PPP loan?

Yes. If you received an EIDL loan related to COVID-19 between January 31, 2020 and the date at which the PPP becomes available, you would be able to refinance the EIDL into the PPP for loan forgiveness purposes. However, you may not take out an EIDL and a PPP for the same purposes. Remaining portions of the EIDL, for purposes other than those laid out in loan forgiveness terms for a PPP loan, would remain a loan. If you took advantage of an emergency EIDL grant award of up to $10,000, that amount would be subtracted from the amount forgiven under PPP.

The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act

March 27, 2020 - Communications Department

The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed by Congress are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now. When implemented, there will be many new resources available for small businesses, as well as certain non-profits and other employers. This guide provides information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address these needs, as well as some additional tax provisions that are outside the scope of SBA.

CARE Act Information PDF

Montgomery County Testing Locations

Please refer to the testing guidelines of the CDC if you believe you should be tested.

Vanderbilt Primary Care Clarksville
800 Weatherly Drive, Suite 201B
Clarksville, TN 37043
Phone: 615-875-4036

Montgomery County Health Department
350 Pageant Lane
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: 931-648-5747

Premier Medical Group – Walk In Clinic
490 Dunlop Lane
Clarksville, TN 37040
931-245-7000

Community Resource Updates Due to COVID-19

Food Pantries

Urban Ministries:Drive through Food Pantry: Friday, March 20 from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Madison Street United Methodist Church parking lot from 3ring photo ID and proof of residence.

Clarksville-Montgomery County School System The following schools will be serving food from 10 a.m. to noon March 20:

• Elementary, 110 Bailey Street
• Byrns Darden Elementary- 609 E Street
• Glenellen Elementary- 825 Needmore Road
• Moore Elementary- 1350 Madison Street
• Ringgold Elementary- 240 Ringgold Road
• Kenwood High School- 251 East Pine Mountain Road
• Montgomery Central High School -3955 Highway 48
• Northeast High School -3701 Trenton Road
• Northwest High School - 800 Lafayette Road
• West Creek High School - 1210 West Creek Coyote Trail

Manna Cafe Ministries:Until further notice, details are as follows:Food distribution will continue Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 10 a.m. – 4p.m. Clients will be accepted into the lobby 10 at a time, to limit interaction.Hot meals will be served Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at the village community center and Thursday and Saturday mornings at Christ the Healer Church and the community center but will be distributed as to-go boxes only. Additionally, hot meals will be provided Wednesday and Thursday evenings at the village community center. The Village Community Center is located at 503 D. Street in Manna Village and Christ the Healer Church is located at 1295 Paradise Hill Road.Programs such as Change for Change and Operation Pomegranate are temporarily on hold.

Church food pantries:Grace Lutheran Church- come to back or side door call number and they will bring it to you First Church of Nazarene - (9:30 - 12:45) business as usual.

CAA Commodities:Please call and schedule a pick-up time 931-896-1800. Food boxes will be provided at the Lafayette Rd location.

Small Business Loans

March 20, 2020 - TN Department of Economic & Community Development

Loans now available to Tennessee small businesses that have suffered economic injury as a result of COVID-19

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Gov. Bill Lee announced that Tennessee has received a declaration for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration in response to a request submitted on Wednesday, March 18.

“I applaud the efforts of the SBA in swiftly processing and approving Tennessee’s request for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance,” Lee said. “Small businesses and nonprofits across the state are suffering greatly in the wake of this pandemic, and these loans will help overcome the temporary loss of revenue companies are experiencing during this difficult time.”

Small businesses and nonprofit organizations that have suffered economic injury as a result of COVID-19 can apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million per applicant to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have otherwise been met.

The Economic Injury Disaster Loans are administered and processed through the SBA. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at sba.gov/disaster.

Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

Interest rates for the loans are 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for nonprofit organizations. The loans can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable or other bills that can’t be paid due to the disaster’s impact.

“We have been in contact with business and community leaders across the state who are concerned about the toll COVID-19 is placing on their businesses and workforce,” TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe said. “We are pleased to see that these loans will act as a source of relief for so many of Tennessee’s small businesses in the months ahead.”

The SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.

More than 94 percent of Tennessee’s private sector business establishments have fewer than 50 employees. This represents 151,500 businesses that employ over one million Tennesseans.

Employment has increased 13.6 percent at these establishments over the last five years, placing Tennessee in the nation’s top 10 states for small business growth.

Small businesses are encouraged to learn more about resources offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration at https://www.sba.gov/.

Information about the SBA’s District Office in Tennessee can be found here.

Up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Tennessee can be found here.

TNECD Media Contact

Jennifer McEachern, Communications Director
(615) 336-2689
[email protected]

About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies that help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment to the state and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.