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Tax and DMV staffing debate: hire additional clerk or close one hour for lunch?
Summary
The tax and motor vehicle office requested an additional full‑time employee; commissioners discussed alternatives including a scheduled lunch closure (12–1 p.m.) or hiring a part‑time floater. No decision was made; staff will provide cost comparisons and a public-notice plan if hours change.
Swain County commissioners reviewed a request from the tax and motor-vehicle office for an additional staff member to address workload and prevent single‑staff coverage on the front counter. Budget staff described a reallocation of an existing floater position and a new hire request that together increase salary, benefits and training costs for the office.
One option floated by staff and commissioners was instituting a scheduled lunch closure (for example, 12–1 p.m.) beginning in July with a public‑notice month in June; that would allow existing staff to take a lunch and avoid hiring another full‑time employee. Commissioners warned that a scheduled closure could create a “ripple effect” if other departments choose similar schedules and emphasized the public‑service implications of closing a public counter for an hour. Several commissioners indicated a preference for hiring an additional employee to keep service hours intact; others suggested testing a temporary/part‑time position, which would reduce benefit costs but could be harder to fill.
Why it matters: the tax/DMV counter is a high‑volume public service point. Commissioners asked staff to provide a cost comparison (full‑time hire vs. part‑time hire vs. lunch closure) and to propose an outreach/notice plan if the board approves an hours change. The budget presenter said she will include the options and likely implementation timing in the next budget packet.
