The Warren County Treasurer’s Office is currently serving residents via appointment only, and plans to continue to do so in the future. Warren County Treasurer Julie Dougherty tells KNIA News currently with appointments 162 customers are served each day from six windows, and it has made things easier for both residents and staff.
“I feel like customers would rather know what day they are coming, what time they are coming, they are going to be here for 15 minutes and then they go. Rather than I have to go take a day off of work to go stand in line at the DMV. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but it was impossible to change when everyone could come in. We got rid of the long lines, Friday’s always had long lines, property tax time meant long lines, and driver’s licenses were always long lines.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has not affected revenue or requests for Motor Vehicle registrations from the Warren County Treasurer’s Office over the past year, however the low interest rates is having an effect on county investments. Warren County Treasurer Julie Dougherty tells KNIA News her office went to appointment only during the pandemic, but still served the community as normal.
“Motor vehicle revenue has been the same. We have been working in the office the entire time, we never shut down. We have been here for motor vehicle title transfers and registrations, those revenues have remained the same. As for investments, of course the rates are dead bottom. We aren’t getting much on any of the investments, but that’s just the way it is around for everyone.”
Warren County did not see much change in property tax filings in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic, and even saw a slight increase. Warren County Treasurer Julie Dougherty tells KNIA News tax filings in March were similar to the 2019 numbers, but some apprehension was felt in the office for the September installments. Dougherty said despite the worry, property tax filings actually rose .2%, so were not affected by a large percentage over the course of the year. For more information, tune in to today’s Let’s Talk Indianola.