Spotsylvania County government buildings to reopen with limited access Monday

From Spotsylvania County:

Spotsylvania County buildings and offices reopen to the public Monday, May 18, with limited access and social distancing, after being closed to visitors since March 20, due to COVID-19. Phase One of the Governor’s Forward Virginia reopening plan officially went into effect earlier today, Friday, May 15. Telework for county employees, if appropriate, continues as part of state recommendations.

“While our buildings and offices are reopening to the public through normal business hours or by appointment only, we would like to emphasize that the safest way to conduct county business during Phase One of the Governor’s reopening plan, is to continue using our contact-free options,” says County Administrator Ed Petrovitch. “We strongly encourage residents to reach staff by phone and email Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm, use drop boxes at designated locations, as well as utilizing the county’s online resources  and payment options. We have made progress in our fight to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our community, but we need to continue working together so that we can remain focused on a forward path.”

Buildings OPEN to the Public in Limited Numbers with Social Distancing beginning Monday, May 18, 2020:

• Holbert Building, 9104 Courthouse Road, signs will direct visitors to one-way entry and exit points. The Information Services and Human Resources departments located in Holbert, are available by appointment only.
• The Offices of the Treasurer and Commissioner of Revenue (located in Holbert) are open to the public Monday-Friday from 8AM- 4:30PM. The first half of 2020 real estate tax payments are due Friday, June 5th and the first half of personal property payments are due Friday, June 26. Residents are strongly encouraged to use the county’s online payment option to pay tax bills. If your tax bill is not paid in full by the due date, a late payment penalty of 10% will be assessed on the original tax amount less any tax payments. Real Estate payments must be postmarked by June 5^th 2020. Personal Property payments must be postmarked by June 26^th 2020. Tax bills have been mailed for personal property and all real estate accounts that have not been requested by a mortgage company. If a mortgage company is responsible for paying your real estate bill, you will not receive a copy of the bill. If you have not received a tax bill, please call our office at (540) 507-7058.
• The Marshall Center, 8800 Courthouse Road, is available to the public by appointment only. The Spotsylvania Virginia Extension Office (Marshall Center) is open by appointment only.
• Community Development, located in the Merchants Square Building, 9019 Old Battlefield Boulevard, is open for in-person meetings by appointment only. Drop box located inside lobby, west entrance.
• The Department of Social Services, located in Merchants Square, is open for in-person meetings by appointment only and offers drop box service for DSS customers located outside door of side entrance.
• Front lobby of the Public Safety Building, 9119 Dean Ridings Lane, is open Monday-Friday 8AM-4:30PM with visitors using access windows for services.
• Office of Elections, located at 4708 Southpoint Parkway, is open to the public with outside absentee voting, both assisted and curbside. Drop box located outside front door monitored by security camera.  Spotsylvania has a Dual Primary Election Tuesday, June 23rd. Absentee voting began May 8 and lasts through May 20. The County’s Office of Elections is asking the public to consider voting by mail or drop box in an effort to limit virus spread in our community. CLICK here for more information about absentee voting and election day safety procedures.
• Department of Utilities and Public Works, located at 600 Hudgins Road, appointments only (540) 507-7300, ext. 1. Drop box located curbside in front of Utilities administration building.
• Department of Parks and Recreation, located at 10910 Leavells Road, appointments only (540) 507-7529. Outside drop box located at side entrance to P & R administration building.
• County Attorney’s office, 9105 Courthouse Road, available by appointment only.

Courts

• Spotsylvania Circuit and District Courts CLOSED until June 8. Marriage licenses and probates are appointment only (540) 507-7609. Other operations continue as they have in recent months.
• Spotsylvania General District Court Order 5/7-6/7. Open to the public May 18, operating both courtrooms with 6-feet social distancing.
• Spotsylvania Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Order 5/18-6/7 . Open May 18, to receive and process filings, but physical access is limited to staff.
• Common areas remain closed and as courts open Sheriff’s Office staff will regulate visitor limits.

County Buildings & Facilities that remain CLOSED to the Public:

• Spotsylvania County Visitor’s Center, 4704 Southpoint Parkway
• Spotsylvania County Museum, 6159 Plank Road

Board of Supervisors Meetings 

• Board of Supervisors meetings are open to the public with social distancing requirements.
• County staff that need to be present during meetings will follow proper social distancing guidelines. The public is permitted to make comments in person with a limited number of citizens allowed in the chamber at a time, and in accordance with social distancing guidelines, but it is strongly encouraged that public comments be submitted online or by mail.

Boards, Commissions and Committees:

• Boards, Committees and Commissions meetings are resuming normal schedules within social distancing guidelines limiting gatherings to 10 persons.

What Visitors Need to Know:

• The health and safety of staff and the public are our top priorities.
• Visitors entering county buildings to conduct business are strongly encouraged to wear their own face covering as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to limit spread of the virus. 
• Staff is provided face coverings and are encouraged to wash hands frequently and/or use hand sanitizer.
• Hand sanitizer stations are in county buildings with public access. Please use them as you enter and exit buildings, which may be marked to encourage one-way traffic, depending on the location.
• Protective screening is installed in areas where public interaction occurs with staff.
• High traffic areas in county buildings and frequently- touched surfaces continue undergoing enhanced, increased disinfecting.
• County offices are limited to 10 visitors each. This does not mean that county buildings will be limited to only ten patrons. The ten-person limit applies to individual departments/offices. If an office reaches the ten-person limit, visitors will be asked to wait their turn while following social distancing guidelines.
• Employees and the public are asked not to enter county buildings if they are sick.

Important Reminders and Best Practices: 

• It’s safer to stay at home, if possible.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60% alcohol if hand washing isn’t an option.
• Practice social distancing, keeping a minimum of 6 feet between you and others at all times, if possible.
• Wear a cloth face covering when in public to help limit the spread of the virus in asymptomatic individuals.