Share: 

Sussex office remodel to improve service

Stream-lined bill-pay center proposed for lobby
February 11, 2013

A stream-lined, secure area where bills could be paid has been proposed for Sussex County's administration building.

Remodeling could be in the works in an ongoing effort to make working with Sussex County government more user-friendly.

At its Jan. 22 meeting, Sussex County Council heard plans to reconfigure a section of the county's building at 2 The Circle in downtown Georgetown. As County Administrator Todd Lawson explained it, the proposed project is only possible because of a new $1.5 million integrated computer software system that streamlines how the county collects money and does its accounting.

Under the proposal, the main lobby near the front doors would be converted to a one-stop-shop with an area set up with four teller-like windows.

“Everything would be in one location where people could pay all bills,” said Brad Hawkes, director of utility engineering. “This will also be a more secure area.”

Lawson said currently customers have to visit several offices on different floors of the administration building to conduct business. “The changes resulting from the construction project will greatly improve the county's efficiency and the effectiveness of our customer service,” Lawson said.

In a second phase, a new counter area would be built in the planning and zoning office to allow more space for reviewing plans and issuing building permits.

Lawson said $260,000 has been allocated for the project; the bidding process will be under way soon. He said the project is under a deadline to be completed by July 1 to get done ahead of the property tax season. “We are ready to proceed with construction,” Lawson said.

Council will make the final decision on the project after staff recommends a bid price.

Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter