MANSFIELD — Don't expect to visit Richland County Hall on April 8th.
Like the afternoon sky during a total solar eclipse, County Hall will be pitch black.
Richland County commissioners voted Tuesday to close county offices for the entire day of the once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event.
In Richland County, the eclipse experience is expected to begin around 1:57 p.m., with totality expected to begin at 3:12 p.m., with locals (and guests) expecting 3 minutes and 12 seconds of darkness during the day. It is expected.
“This closure is necessary due to the expected influx of people into the county to view the total solar eclipse,” commissioners said in a press release after the unanimous vote.
“Richland County Emergency Management and local public safety partners are anticipating impacts to transportation, communications, supplies, and safety services (April 8),” the commissioners said in a press release.
The following county buildings will be closed on April 8th.
— Administrative/Court
— Longview Center
— People's Building
— Child Support Enforcement Agency
— Dog Warden and Adoption Center
— Engineer & Title Office
— Work and Family Services
— Park Building
— Juvenile Justice Center
— Bureau of Sewerage (Bills due April 10th can be paid by April 12th)
Commissioner Cliff Mears said the three-member board consulted with other officials about options for the day of the eclipse, including the possibility of keeping offices open until noon.
“We decided it would be prudent to close these buildings to provide consistency for taxpayers who are wondering where they can get service on any given day and what hours they are open,” Mears said. I did,” he said.
He said the closures will occur regardless of weather forecasts. A cloudy day in north-central Ohio may send tourists rushing elsewhere for better views.
“We decided not to do that because the weather forecast is what it is and it could still be off,” Mears said.
He said other county elected officials, including judges, agree with the decision.
“To my knowledge, they are consistent with our announcement today,” he said.
