CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Marshall County Supervisor Steve Salasek and Auditor Nan Benson discuss opening four county departments — auditor, engineer, recorder and treasurer — immediately by appointment only.

Four Marshall County departments — auditor, engineer, recorder and treasurer — will begin opening on a limited, by-appointment-only basis.

Auditor Nan Benson said she spoke with some department heads and said Jarret Heil would like the treasurer department open by June 2 due to the timing of property tax payments.

“One of the stipulations for us when we talk about completely reopening, we have to wait for the bank until the bank reopens,” Benson said.

Some county departments — such as the treasurer, recorder and auditor — are located in the upper portion of the Great Western Bank building on Main Street.

Heil said he was not aware of any bank lobbies that been reopened in Marshall County.

“As for us doing appointments, if the building is not prepared, we won’t have people come up here to do appointments,” Heil said. “If we are requested to appointments based on the deadlines starting back up in both motor vehicle and property tax, we will arrange to meet people at the door.”

He said the building does not have to be reopen for people to get inside, but appointments should be made.

Benson said the county is not allowing people into the facility.

She said she would like to allow begin processing marriage licenses on an appointment basis.

Supervisor Dave Thompson proposed the engineer, auditor, recorder and treasurer departments begin appointment-only immediately.

“I know my folks doing marriage licenses would greatly appreciate that because they usually mail things back and forth,” Benson said. “It would aid the process.”

Thompson said it would allow the auditor and recorder the ability to take care of such things as applications. He said he would like those departments to have as much latitude as possible in order to run operations effectively.

“We’re not going to allow people into the building, but at least they can come into the doors downstairs and be met by a human being rather than just using a drop box,” Thompson said.

Benson said she would not begin right away as she would like some safety protocol in place, such as installation of plexiglass.

Supervisor Bill Patten said he does not disagree, but added people are getting antsy about getting out and doing things.

“Marshall County is not getting any better,” Patten said. “It’s still not a good deal for Marshall County, but I understand what you are doing.”

Supervisor Steve Salasek asked if it would also apply to the conservation department. Conservation Director Mike Stegmann said the department does not have a plan for proper cleaning of facilities and until one is place, the department will remain closed.