Around 20,000 car tax bills are paid each month in Richland County and close to a third of them are paid on the very last day (by mail, internet, NBSC drop-offs, or in person at our office). If the last day of the month falls on a Friday or a Monday it is even busier than a usual month-end.
Today was busier with taxpayers than I’ve seen in almost two years. The lines to pay taxes at the end of the month are usually about 40 deep and our fantastic staff can move people from the end of the line thru their payment in about ten minutes (or two minutes per payment). Today, the lines were never shorter than 70 deep and we processed more than 3,000 in-office payments.
I’m not sure why so many people came into our office, today, but I was in the lobby directing people to where they should be so they could be served as quickly as possible. It is so nice to hear that I’m the only elected official who actually works with the public in the lines to make their experience move forward smoothly. I enjoy working with our taxpayers to ensure they get the best service possible when they come into our office.
But today also highlighted our need for a satellite office in the Northeast (where 1/3rd of our walk-in payments come from) to shorten the lines for everyone. I hope that County Council will see days like this and understand that our taxpayers deserve the more convenient option that a new office will provide.