The Crow Wing County Historic Courthouse is much quieter following completion of a new customer service counter in the Land Services Building.
All over-the-counter transactions once performed at the auditor-treasurer's and recorder's offices have moved to the building next door, the last step in a county government reorganization that began more than a year ago. A newly remodeled land services office accommodates the change.
All land-related transactions, including the review and acceptance of real estate documents and the acceptance of property tax payments, are completed at the counter, along with other services including birth and death certificates and marriage licenses.
Deborah Erickson, administrative services director and county auditor-treasurer, told the county board Tuesday the project has gone very smoothly.
"All of our internal services department (staff) really stepped up to the plate," Erickson said. "Everybody moved sometimes two or three times in a matter of days to make sure we didn't have any service lapses."
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Commissioner Paul Thiede asked about whether parking considerations were made with the transition, noting the parking lot near the Land Services Building seemed to be filling more quickly than in the past.
Reed Thiesse, facilities manager, told the board he thought this might be related to a higher number of visitors at this time of year, along with contractors at the county campus for various facilities projects.
Commissioner Paul Koering said he wanted to assure if there are elderly people coming to pay their property taxes, they won't necessarily have to cross the road from the larger county parking lot across the street.
Erickson said administrative services would "look at all those traffic patterns and see what would be the best use."
Although the historic courthouse is emptier now, Erickson said soon the Crow Wing County Extension Office will move into the first floor. Some minor plumbing and electrical work in that space will take place before the move.
Restoration work on the historic courthouse is also underway. Contractors began power washing the exterior Monday to remove the mold and mildew staining.
CHELSEY PERKINS may be reached at 218-855-5874 or chelsey.perkins@brainerddispatch.com . Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchChelsey .
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