Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs awarded the City of Monticello and 23 rural Hoosier communities $15.3 million in federal grant funding to improve water infrastructure.  The City of Monticello was awarded $600,000 for water and sewer improvements. This project will

• upgrade 4,000 lineal feet of four-inch and six-inch water mains
• replace seven fire hydrants
• add eight new six-inch water valves.

"By investing in our state's water infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for regional growth and prosperity,” said Lt. Gov. Crouch. "These grants are supporting projects that are crucial to rural communities' continual economic development and improving the quality of life for its residents.”

Monticello Mayor Cathy Gross said, "The City of Monticello is excited to share this news. City leadership past and present worked together with our Water Superintendent, Rod Pool, KIRPC, Jason Miller of RMA, and Commonwealth Engineers to make this possible. We are looking forward to improving the water infrastructure in the NW quadrant of the city, with this grant we can leverage our own funds to provide better services for our community. Thank you to Lt Gov Crouch, and OCRA for providing this opportunity."

The State of Indiana distributes Community Development Block Grant funds to rural communities, which assist units of local government with various community projects such as: infrastructure improvement, downtown revitalization, public facilities and economic development.

Face Covering Requirement

•   pdf State of Indiana Executive Order 20-37:  Face Covering Requirement
•   pdf Orden Ejecutiva 20-37: Requisito de Cobertura Facial

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb will order a statewide mask requirement beginning Monday, July 27th. The reasons for this requirement:

• To get children back to school
• To keep businesses open
• A statewide increase in COVID-19 positive cases
• A statewide increase in number of Hoosiers hospitalized for COVID-19
• An increase in cases and positivity rate in neighboring states

The mandate will be for anyone 8 years and older in indoor public spaces, commercial entities or transportation services, or in outside public spaces when you cannot social distance.

Extension of Back on Track 4.5

• pdf State of Indiana Executive Order Extending Stage 4.5 (Back on Track until August 27th)
• pdf Orden Ejecutiva: Vuelta a la Normalidad en Indiana, Segunda Continuacion de la Etapa 4.5

Declaration of Emergency (Extension)

• pdf State of Indiana Executive Order Extending Public Health Emergency Until Sept. 2nd.
• pdf Orden Ejecutiva: Quinta Renovacion de la Declaracion de Emergencia Salud Publica Para el Brote de COVID-19

What Can Be Open Right Now?

• Personal services, Gyms, fitness centers, and other workout facilities can continue operations with restrictions.
• Restaurants dining room service may be open at 75% capacity while maintaining social distancing
• Bar Seating in restaurants may operate at 50% capacity while maintaining social distancing.
• Bars and nightclubs will open to 50% capacity while maintaining social distancing
• Retail stores will open at full capacity.
• Cultural, entertainment, and tourism sites (amusement parks/water parks will open at 50% capacity.  Reservations are encouraged to limit number of customers at any one time)
• Movie theaters and bowling alleys will open at 50% capacity while maintaining social distancing.
• Public playgrounds, community tennis and basketball courts, soccer and baseball fields, and similar facilities may resume.
• Amusement parks and water parks may open at 50% capacity.  A reservation system is recommended.
• Campgrounds may be open with social distancing limitations.
• Outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, boating, birding, hunting, and bicycle riding are permitted.

What is Open in Stage 4.5?

• K-12 school operations may begin the 2020-21 academic year on July 1; Extra-Curricular, co-curricular activities may resume July 6.
• Festivals, fairs, and parades may open with restrictions.  See Indiana Guidelines

Guidelines During Stage 4.5

• Outdoor visitation must resume July 4 at assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
• Indoor visitations at assisted living facilities and nursing homes MAY resume on July 4.  Facilities not allowing indoor visits must have a plan for indoor visitation by Stage 5.
• Hospital Visitations encouraged with precautions.
• Social gatherings of 250 people may take place following the CDC social distancing guidelines
• Hoosiers 65 and over with high-risk health conditions should limit exposure in their communities.
• It is HIGHLY recommended that residents wear face coverings in public settings.
• There are no travel restrictions.