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FROM STAFF REPORTS

Shelby County Manager Chad Scroggins on Monday, March 23 announced the closure of the license offices in Columbiana, Inverness and Pelham, from March 25 through April 8.

“Shelby County and the entire world are experiencing unique and unparalleled challenges associated with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic,” Scroggins wrote in announcing the closure. “Our goal in Shelby County is to continue to provide a level of local government functions through this crisis and comply with the recommendations of the Alabama Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control. The Shelby County Commission and its staff have developed plans and protocols to protect the health of the public, our staff, and all of those directly affected by governmental processes.”

All Shelby County departments have modified operations to reduce or eliminate direct public contact to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Customers will experience modifications to previously standard workflows, the release stated.

When applicable, residents are encouraged to utilize online services to accomplish business transactions.

Shelby County online services are located at Online.ShelbyAL.com

“The License Offices see extremely high volumes of direct customer transactions that cannot maintain the 6 feet of recommended distancing,” Scroggins said. “During the closed period of March 25, 2020, through April 8, 2020, modifications will be made to provide protection to customers and staff. Online Services will be available for many of the standard business operations. We recommend sending questions about license office services via email at any time to tagrenewal@shelbyal.com or via online chat at Chat.ShelbyAL.com or our customer service call line at 205-670-6824 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.”

The closure is subject to review and extension if required.

The State of Alabama Department of Revenue has provided an extension for obtaining motor vehicle registrations and penalties associated with registrations and renewals through April 15.

The signed Alabama Department of Revenue document is located at Revenue.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/MV-Registrations-Order-of-Commissioner-March-16-2020.pdf.

Other notes about Shelby County services include:

• The Shelby County Courthouse remains open to essential business only.
• Shelby County Development Services including building Inspections remains open to all business. Please observe modified workflows.

• The Shelby County Landfill remains open with normal business hours to all customer at this time. Credit or debit card payments are preferred and recommended.

• All other Shelby County offices with direct public interaction (Sheriff’s Office, Probate Court, Property Tax, Highway Department, Business Revenue, and Water Services) and essential operations have modified public access to mitigate exposure and spread of the virus during the COVID-19 pandemic.