Dear Citizens of Terre Haute,

We’re living in a time of uncertainty, and with uncertainty both collaboration and compassion become a part of our journey, together. Our community has experienced hardships before, but none quite like our current reality. Recognizing this current state, I want to assure you that preventive measures that pledge our community’s health is my priority. I have been following national, state and local announcements, including many offered just in the past two days. In addition, I’m proud to be a part of a local coalition working to combat COVID-19 and know everyone in the community is finding ways to help one another stay well.

From various meetings and communications received, I would like to offer information that might be helpful to you.

• City Hall is open to the public but with limited access. I request that all routine business be done over the phone or online. We are not currently processing counter payments but we have a payment drop box at the rear entrance of City Hall. Please check our website at www.terrehaute.in.gov for updated information or call 311 with any questions regarding doing business with the City of Terre Haute.
   
• Duke Energy, Vectren and Indiana American Water have pledged to suspend disconnections for those experiencing financial hardship at this time. The City of Terre Haute is also temporarily suspending water disconnections for persons with sewage bill hardships.
• To learn essential information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding the virus (including preventative measures) you can visit www.cdc.gov.
   
• You can also visit the Indiana State Department of Health’s website at www.in.gov/coronavirus to receive real time information on how Indiana is managing the concerns – including information on closures, social distancing and overall information on confirmed cases by county.
• Local information on the coronavirus can be found on the Vigo County Health Department website found at www.vigocounty.in.gov.

I recognize a lot will probably change again from the time I send this letter. As things change, I can only promise to update you as information becomes pertinent to your safety and wellbeing. Although there are no confirmed cases to date in Vigo County, we are not taking this good fortune lightly. Our health systems, school systems and business sectors have all prepared and implemented processes to help combat the virus.

I’m confident we have good people doing good things and it will be a community effort to move beyond the days ahead. It is our civic duty as citizens of our community to follow the instructions provided by our healthcare experts and our government, and ensure we go above and beyond to keep us healthy by working together.

Thank you for your trust.

Mayor Duke A. Bennett
City of Terre Haute