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UPDATE: As of Wednesday, Jan. 12, a social media post by the city of Marble Falls indicated that the Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments remained closed due to the staff shortage. "All other city department lobbies are currently open to the public," the post read. "We apologize for the inconvenience."
UPDATE: The shortage in personnel is attributed, in part, to the "contact exposure" protocols the city is utilizing to quarantine staff members, who may or may not have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a follow up call to The Highlander from Marble Falls Mayor Richard Westerman. He added that city officials have opted to follow CDC guidelines that include at least a five-day, stay-at-home period for those impacted.
The city of Marble Falls announced via social media on Monday, Jan. 10 that administrators opted to close lobbies to the public in at least three department buildings.
The offices listed were city hall, located at 800 Third St., parks and recreation department and public works, 1802 Second St. and development services, 801 Fourth St.
The comment came across The Highlander news feed at approximately 2 p.m. that day.
A brief message attributed the closures: “Due to staff shortages related to COVID…”
In an email, City Manager Mike Hodge confirmed the closure.
Marble Falls Fire Chief Russell Sander, who is the municipality's emergency operations coordinator, was unavailable for comment by press time.
Officials asked the public to call city hall at 830-693-3615, parks/public works at 830-798-6250; and development services at 830-798-7095.
“Phones are being answered during regular business hours,” the note read. “Closures will be evaluated on a daily basis and may change based upon staffing.”