Janesville declares state of emergency

A state of emergency has been declared for the city of Janesville in response to the continuing spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin and the country.

City Manager Mark Freitag made the declaration Wednesday.

The declaration will do the following:

Allows the city to be eligible for state and federal assistance
Gives the city the ability to react more quickly to changing conditions
Provides the city manager the authority to make purchases and sign contracts that would normally require city council prior approval
Allows for the modification of other internal policies during the emergency that will help to expedite the response
Reinforces the city manager's authority to direct employees and make urgent and time sensitive management and staff decisions

The Janesville City Council will have the ability to approve, amend, or repeal the State of Emergency declaration at an upcoming Special City Council Meeting.

Photo: WKOW