Oconee County says it is closing all of its government buildings today because of coronavirus: the closure list includes the Oconee County courthouse, the Government Annex, and the Oconee County Elections Office. The County says the buildings will be closed through at least April 1.
Watkinsville Mayor Bob Smith says Watkinsville City Hall will stay open, 8:30 til 4:30 on Mondays through Fridays.
From the Oconee Co government website…
n response to the evolving situation surrounding Coronavirus (COVID-19) and to reduce possible transmission, all Oconee County Government buildings, including the Oconee County Courthouse, Annex, and Board of Elections, will close to the public effective Tuesday, March 17, at 5 p.m. through April 1. All emergency services will continue to function, and non-emergency staff service is available via phone, email, and the county website. This measure is being taken to protect employees and the general community in response to the national and state declarations of emergency.
Oconee County Government will continue to provide essential public safety, emergency response, and water and sewer services. In addition, the Clerk of Courts office will remain accessible to the public. Individuals who need to visit the Clerk of Courts office should call ahead to 706-769-3940. Upon arrival at the courthouse, individuals who have called ahead may call the Clerk of Courts office from their cell phone, and a deputy will admit them.
The public is encouraged to continue to conduct county business through the website or by calling or emailing county staff. Contact information for staff and departments is available on the website. For updates on Oconee County's response to COVID-19, please visit www.oconeecounty.com/coronavirus.
The following contact information and direct links for common transactions may be helpful:
Oconee County Website
www.oconeecounty.com
Clerk of Courts
• Telephone: 706-769-3940
Finance Department
• Telephone: 706-769-2944
• Email: financedept@oconee.ga.us
Planning & Code Enforcement
• Telephone: 706-769-3910 (Planning)
• Email: druark@oconee.ga.us (Planning)
• Telephone: 706-769-3907 (Permitting)
• Email: esmith@oconee.ga.us (Permitting)
Tax Commissioner
• Telephone: 706-769-3917
• Renew vehicle registration: https://eservices.drives.ga.gov/_/
• Pay property taxes: https://oconeecountyga.governmentwindow.com/tax.html
• Drop box is available for payments outside the Oconee County Courthouse
Water Resources
• Telephone: 706-769-3960
• Pay water online bill: https://www.oconeecounty.com/498/View-andor-Pay-your-Bill
• Drop box is available for payments outside the Oconee County Government Annex
• In response to the emerging COVID-19 situation, the Water Resources Department is temporarily halting the disconnection of water service for non-payment
Traffic Tickets
• Pay traffic tickets¬: https://www.ezcourtpay.com/Tix/Default.aspx
Emergency Notifications
• Sign up for CodeRED notifications: https://tinyurl.com/oconeega
Please remember to take the following steps to prevent virus transmission:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or use a tissue to cover it, then throw the tissue in the trash
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
For more information about Coronavirus, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health at https://dph.georgia.gov and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.
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