Courthouse offices closed

Posted on March 25, 2020

Taylor County’s constitutional officers have closed their offices to the public due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and are urging residents who need assistance to call instead of visiting.

The announcements came Friday after several local officials said earlier in the week they were waiting on state authority to close their offices. Taylor County and City of Perry have also closed their offices to the public.

Clerk of Court

“The Clerk’s Office is closed due to the coronavirus and safety of our employees,” Clerk of Court Annie Mae Murphy said in an online message. “If you have an emergency, please call the Clerk’s Office at (850) 838-3506. If your issue is a non-emergency, you may call us at the above number and the Clerk’s Office will try to help you handle your non-emergency issue. The Clerk’s Office remains committed to serve the public in all issues. Thank you for your patience until this crisis is settled.”

Murphy previously announced the Florida Supreme Court temporarily suspended jury selection proceedings through Friday, March 27.

“All other court cases will take place,” she said. “The courthouse will be closed other than for plaintiffs, defendants and attorneys,” she said. “No family or friends are allowed to help lower the risk of spreading COVID-19.”

Property Appraiser

While the Taylor County Property Appraiser’s office is closed to the public, Property Appraiser Bruce Ratliff says there is a skeleton crew there each day working on the tax roll and answering phone calls.

“We have two staff members in the office answering phone calls and emails, while everyone else is working from home,” Ratliff said.

“Homestead exemption applications were completed March 1. Now we are putting the tax rolls together for the upcoming tax year. We are working with the Department of Revenue and other agencies to shorten the process as much as possible during this difficult time. Rest assured, the tax roll will be completed and submitted on time as it has in the past,” Ratliff added.

“As for anyone who has a late filing situation, we will still be accepting those at a later date. If you missed the deadline and have extenuating circumstances due to this pandemic, we will work with you and help take care of your situation,” Ratliff said. “You can reach us by calling (850) 584-3511 or by email at: shawna@taylorpa.org.

Sheriff

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) has closed its courthouse office to the public and postponed any out-of-county travel unless it is deemed an emergency, according to TCSO Public Information Officer Lt. Gina Deeson

Visitation at the Taylor County Jail has been discontinued until further notice, Deeson reports. Jail employees are being screened with a temperature check prior to entry at the beginning of each shift.

Anyone who is arrested is also being screened prior to entry. Arrestees with symptoms and/or a temperature above 100.4 will be isolated from other inmates and under quarantine.

Out-of-county travel has been suspended for the TCSO Investigations Division.

While the TCSO Patrol Division has been advised to respond in person to in-progress calls, deputies and investigators have been instructed to avoid unnecessarily going into the homes of citizens.

Deputies have been authorized to respond to as many calls as possible that may be completed over the phone, Deeson said.

Supervisor of Elections

Taylor County Supervisor of Elections Dana announced that her physical office will be closed to the public until further notice.

“This has been a very hard decision to make, as I always want to be available to serve you in whatever manner is needed,” Southerland said. “However, after much thought and consideration, and to minimize potential exposure to COVID-19, and to help protect visitors and my staff, I find myself having to make this decision.

“Although my office may be closed to the public, I remain committed to serving each of you. I will continue to staff my office during normal office hours, and we will continue to be available whenever needed.

“If you are a candidate, voter or a member of the public who needs assistance, you may reach us through email at taylorelections@gtcom.net, by phone at (850) 838-3515, or by appointment when necessary.

Additionally, Taylor County residents can still register to vote, update their registration or request mail ballots online at taylorelections.com, by email at taylorelections@gtcom.net or by phone at (850) 838-3515.

Southerland also invited candidates who have already filed, or those who may be interested in the candidate process and have questions, to contact her as well.

“We will continue to be available during normal office hours to accept your candidate petitions or to meet with potential candidates,” she said. “We ask that you continue to visit our website at taylorelections.com, as we will continue to update this site with election information as we move towards the August and November elections.”

While her office is closed, Southerland noted that the canvassing board will meet on Friday, March 27 at 5 p.m. to canvas overseas ballots and certify the official president preferential primary results. The board will meet again on Monday, March 20 at 9 a.m. to conduct the post-election audit.

Tax Collector

Tax Collector Mark Wiggins also announced the closure of his office to the public, adding that it was a decision made by all Taylor County constitutional officers.

“It was a hard decision to make, but we wanted to take every measure to ensure the safety of the public as well as employees,” Wiggins said. “Although we are closed to the public, we will still have employees at each site and almost all services will still be available to everyone via telephone, mail, online or outside drop boxes. We will be processing items each day that we receive from each of those sources and will be available by telephone from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday to answer any questions that you may have.

“We will do our very best to keep you informed of any changes as we receive updated information,” Wiggins said. “Please refer to our Facebook page ‘Taylor County Tax Collector’ or our website at www.taylorcountytaxcollector.com.”

Those with questions related to property tax, tourist development, business tax and concealed weapons are asked to call the Tax Office at (850) 838-3580.

Those with questions related to tag renewals and registrations, titles, FWC, boat ramp and dealers are asked to call the Tag Department at (850) 838-3517.

Those with questions related to driver license, Real ID compliance and Go Renew are asked to call (850) 584-2089.

“We have drop boxes located outside of the Courthouse and outside of the Driver License Office,” Wiggins said.

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