Download the Guide for Businesses:  Masks (Face Coverings), COVID-19, and the Americans with Disabilities Act

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC and other reputable, scientific sources strongly recommend that in places where people will come into contact with individuals from outside their own household and social distancing cannot be consistently maintained, individuals should wear masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Additionally, because confirmed positive cases are on the rise in Indiana, on July 24, 2020, Governor Eric J. Holcomb issued Executive Order 20-37, mandating masks that cover the nose and mouth be worn inside businesses and other indoor spaces in Indiana that are open to the public.

Executive Order 20-37 does provide, in Section 4, subsection c of Executive Order 20-37, that “any person with a medical condition, mental health condition or disability which prevents wearing a face covering” is exempt from the state’s mask mandate. However, it is not always readily apparent that a person has a disability, and stores—particularly national chains and smaller businesses in areas where surges are occurring—may have mask policies in place that are more stringent than those detailed in Executive Order 20-37.

The following guide has been created with the goal of clearing up confusion for businesses as they navigate compliance with the mask mandate, protecting themselves, their businesses, their customers and their employees, and applying CDC and Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) best practices guidelines, all while not running afoul of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

  Learn More - Download the Guide

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.

The Governor has mandated the wearing of masks beginning Monday, July 27th. As White County is seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases, it is important that we all work together to get our schools open and our businesses back on track. I support the Governor in taking this step and am urging residents of Monticello, White County and Indiana to comply with the Governor’s order to "Mask Up".

Take a look back to our April 3rd "Be A Hero" video:



ASL Video of the 'Be A Hero' message (Katherine Tardiff, ADA/Title IV Coordinator)