County to provide payment drop box

By DAN KEGLEY/Staff

Paying county water and sewer bills is about to get easier, at least the physical part of it.
The county supervisors voted Tuesday to change the county policy regarding the payments to allow them to be deposited in a drop box after hours and on weekends.
Constituents of Supervisor Wade Blevins’ Chilhowie District requested a drop box, according to Acting County Administrator Mike Carter.
The county water and sewer committee approved the plan, Supervisor Marvin Perry said.
Constructed of quarter-inch thick steel for security, the box when built in the near future will be located in a well lighted area outside the county office where, Carter said, it will not be struck by vehicles.
“I do not anticipate a long turn around time on the construction,” Carter said Thursday. “As soon as we receive it, it will be installed under the drive-through area outside the building inspection department.  This area provides space for the box without disrupting pedestrian traffic associated with the building, cover for use during inclement weather, lighting for use after dark, and space for security measures to be properly installed.”
The box will cost $360, Carter said.
If it proves useful, the box may be duplicated and placed in Chilhowie and Saltville.
“I am confident this box will be well received by our water and sewer customers by providing them yet another option to make payments on their respective account,” Carter said.