§ 18-21. Declaration of emergency.

(a)

When a disaster or threat of a disaster has placed all or some persons of the county in danger of loss of life or property, a state of emergency shall be declared, pursuant to County Resolution No. 00-277, by the county administrator. A state of emergency so declared shall continue for seven days, unless extended as necessary, in seven-day increments. However, if the local emergency involves a threat to private structure or public infrastructure, the local emergency may remain in effect for up to 30 days.

(b)

A declaration of emergency shall activate the applicable county emergency management plans and shall constitute authority for the following in lieu of the procedures and formalities otherwise required by the county by law pertaining to:

(1)

Performance of public work, and any other prudent action necessary to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the county;

(2)

Entering into contracts;

(3)

Incurring obligations;

(4)

Employment of permanent and temporary workers;

(5)

Utilization of volunteer workers;

(6)

Rental of equipment;

(7)

Acquisition and distribution, with or without compensation, of consumer goods, supplies, materials and facilities; and

(8)

Appropriation and expenditure of public funds.

(c)

The county administrator or designee or enforcement officials shall implement the provisions of this article with or without instructions as may be furnished by the board of county commissioners and the county administrator.

(d)

Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit the authority of the board of county commissioners to declare, limit, or terminate a state of emergency, and to take any action authorized by law, when convened in a regular or special meeting.

(Code 1982, § 1-6.3-53; Ord. No. 01-21, pt. A, 10-16-2001)