City Manager Cameron Clapper issued the below Declaration of Emergency. An image of the declaration is also provided below the text.

Be it known that on this day, pursuant to the authority vested in my office by the City of Whitewater, it
is hereby declared that a City State of Emergency exists in the City of Whitewater, Wisconsin, for the
following specific reason(s):

1. A novel strain of the coronavirus emerged in 2019. This virus has caused the disease known as
   COVID‐19. Since its detection, COVID‐19 has subsequently spread throughout numerous
   countries around the world including the United States.
2. COVID‐19 has also impacted Wisconsin with the first case being reported on February 5, 2020
   and new cases being reported almost daily.
3. Governor Tony Evers declared a statewide Public Health Emergency due to COVID‐19 on March
   12, 2020.
4. The City of Whitewater has joined the local business community and health organizations as
   well as regional, state and federal governments in efforts to limit the spread of the virus which
   causes the COVID‐19 disease by modifying the provision of municipal services so as to comply
   with public direction provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Wisconsin
   Department of Health Services, and the Office of the Governor for the State of Wisconsin.
5. The first reported case in Walworth County occurred on Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
6. The City continues to follow through with and adapt operating plans to protect the community
   from the spread of this disease and to prepare for the long and short‐term impacts it may have
   on the community.
7. The City anticipates additional costs in capital and human resources as the organization modifies
   service delivery to maintain the safety of employees, residents and visitors during the COVID‐19
   pandemic.
   
   Based on these circumstances, I find that the anticipated costs required to fulfill our municipal role will
   likely exceed available financial resources and thereby cause a hardship for the City of Whitewater.
   Therefore, the City of Whitewater will be seeking additional financial support to address local needs as
   the COVID‐19 pandemic unfolds in the Whitewater area.
   
   Dated: March 18, 2020
   Cameron Clapper, City Manager
   City of Whitewater