County tax office to close early Friday ahead of move

MORGANTOWN — The Monongalia County Sheriff’s tax office is moving on up — to the third floor of the county courthouse.
During its regular Wednesday meeting, Chief Tax Deputy Kelly Palmer told the Monongalia County Commission that the office will close at 3 p.m. on Friday to begin the move, which will place the tax department next door to the county assessor.
Rather than have staff split between the two locations, Palmer said the choice was made to close early and complete the switch with assistance from the county’s facilities and information technology staff.
The office will reopen in its new space at 9 a.m. on Monday.
Palmer previously said the new digs will basically double the size of the tax office, allowing for more taxpayer privacy, additional teller windows — including a lowered counter for those dealing with mobility issues — and a waiting area that will include a kiosk for online payments.
Additionally, the move to the third floor will eliminate the need for tax payers to shuffle back and forth between the first-floor tax office and the assessor’s office, on the third floor.
The commission approved $170,000 for the move and renovations in July of 2017.
In other county news, the commission approved an amount not to exceed $10,000 for the Caritas House warming shelter.
Caritas House Executive Director Justin Siko requested the funds last week, explaining that $9,250 in promised federal funds were being delayed by the partial shutdown of the federal government.
The warming shelter opens when temperatures drop below 34 degrees and the Bartlett House is at capacity and turning people away.
Lastly, Commission President Tom Bloom said there are some minor changes coming the county’s recycling program — which includes a single stream drop-off site  most Saturdays at the 4-H Camp Road Wal-Mart (7 a.m. – 11 a.m.) and during the week, from 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., at the Westover City Building.
Bloom explained that going forward, plastic bags will no longer be accepted and recycling will need to be presented in a recyclable box or reusable container.
Further, pizza boxes contaminated with grease, cheese or oil will not be accepted.
Lastly, cardboard boxes will need to be dropped off already broken down.
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