Author: Eva Vigh

“In a pandemic, a jail is one of the most dangerous places to be,” one criminal justice advocate said.

The move is an attempt to help alleviate financial burden from residents affected by coronavirus.

Officials clarified that nonessential services, such as gyms, studios, barbershops and nail salons, are not classified as essential and cannot open.

Funding will come from the district’s fund balance.

“[The order] is vague and on Friday when this thing comes off, we are going to assume these establishments are open,” County Judge Mark Keough said.

Community members can deliver food and hygiene supplies at six drop-off locations in the county from 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on both days.

Buske currently has five locations within Harris County, though the new Conroe facility will be their first in Montgomery County.

Both facilities are taking extra precautions based on CDC guidelines and are in adherence with state and federal law.

Taxpayers will not be required to pay their March, April, May and June 2020 payments until the end of the contract.

The city’s estimated year-end sales tax revenue for fiscal year 2019-20 is not significantly lower than budgeted. The bigger impact, officials said, will be in FY 2020-21, when the city could see a loss of $1.5 million.