Gainous is closing drive-up window

One of the features touted as a reason to move the Grady County Tax Commissioner’s office out of the courthouse and into a former bank building is no longer considered asset.
Grady County Tax Commissioner Phyllis Gainous notified the Grady County Commission this week of her plans to shutter the drive-up window at the courthouse annex located on First Street N.E.
In a memo to commissioners dated Aug. 29, the tax commissioner stated that only an average of six taxpayers per day utilize the drive-up window.
She also said that those who do use it typically come during the “busiest time of day” or the lunch hour when her staff is unable to answer the phones, wait on walk-in citizens and work the drive-thru at the same time.
County Commissioner LaFaye Copeland said that for a long time she did not know the county was operating the drive-up window and she doubts that many citizens did.
“I don’t think many members of the public even knew it was being operated. I know for a long time I did not,” Ms. Copeland said.
Commissioners took no action on the matter and no other comments were made other than from Chairman Billy Poitevint, who said, “It wasn’t utilized apparently and is difficult to maintain and operate.”
Vice Chairman T.D. David and Commissioner Charles Norton were absent from Tuesday’s board meeting. The meeting this week was also one of the shortest in duration in recent memory, lasting only 38 minutes.