Seneca County RTA Building to re-open to the public June 8

Seneca County RTA Building to re-open to the public June 8
The building had been closed since the middle of March

[Tiffin, OH June 5, 2020] – The Seneca County Auditor, Engineer, Recorder and Treasurer announced this week that the RTA Building, 109 S. Washington St., is to re-open to the public beginning on June 8.
On March 18, Auditor Julie Adkins, Engineer Mark Zimmerman, Recorder Mike Dell and Treasurer Paul Harrison announced in a joint letter to the public that their offices would be closed to the public due to COVID-19. The closure was coupled with an effort from each office to maintain services, with a focus on phone, email, fax and postal service interactions.
Commissioner Shayne Thomas praised these elected officials for adapting to the difficult times.
“I did not hear any complaints about any county offices when it comes to providing vital county services,” he said. “The pandemic has been hard on all of us, in the public and private sectors. I was proud to see all of our county offices continue to function at a high level.”
Effective April 17, officials announced that the RTA Building, the Seneca County Justice Center and the Seneca County Commissioners’ office were to be closed on Fridays due to budgetary constraints. Although these closures have occurred, officials from each department have been flexible in working with taxpayers to provide services and to conduct county business.
Starting June 8, county residents will be permitted to enter the RTA Building on Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Residents also may call ahead to the specific office within the building to arrange an appointment.
Although the RTA offices are to be open to the public, elected officials are asking residents to follow new guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Each office has crafted these recommendations and guidelines to help keep the public and county employees as safe as possible.
One guideline for the entire building is that residents are encouraged to wear a mask/face covering.
Please see the specific guidelines from each office on the following page:

Auditor’s Office:
– Appearances are limited to ONLY the customer who needs to conduct business
– There is a two customer limit inside the office. There will be markings that are six feet apart in the hallway for residents to stand on. If there are already two customers in the office, please stand on these markings in the hallway.
– Employees shall wear masks when working within a six-foot distance of another employee or working with the public outside of the “sneeze guards” area.

Recorder’s Office
For research
– Only four researchers are permitted in the office at a time, please limit your time to two hours.
– Only terminals marked with yellow tape may be used.
– If the office is at capacity, please wait in the hallway … please use social distancing
– Online research is encouraged at www.uslandrecords.com

For recording
– Recordings will be accepted in person from 8:30 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. on Monday-Thursday.
– Please continue to use the drop box located at the office door.
– Only two people are allowed at the front counter. Please stand on the yellow boxes when at the counter.
– If both stations are occupied, please wait in the hallway.

Tax Map Office
– Only one person is permitted in the office at a time.
– Customers are encouraged to drop off materials for review, and they will be reviewed as quickly as possible.
– Please practice social distancing and wait in the hallway if there is already a customer in the office.

Treasurer’s Office
– As many as four customers may be in the office at once, but they may not be accompanied by any family members, children or friends.
– There are markings in the lobby area for an additional six customers. Please practice social distancing.
– If you are paying by check, you are encouraged to mail your payment or leave it in our new white drop box located on the parking lot (south) side of the RTA building.
– If you would like a receipt, please include a self-addressed and stamped envelope with your payment.