New drop boxes ease paperwork return

RITZVILLE — Drop boxes for property taxes, personal property listings, and other documents needing to be delivered to the Adams County Assessor’s and/or Treasurer’s office will soon be available. The drop boxes will ease the need for people to gain access to the courthouse, still closed to the public due to COVID-19.

County Treasurer Kayla Meise appeared before commissioners July 6 to discuss the purchase. The drop boxes will cost $800 each, for a total of $1,600. One will be placed at the courthouse, in the back near the handicap parking. Another one will be placed at the Public Services Building in Othello, in front next to the ballot box.

“The Assessor’s Office and the Treasurer’s will be sharing the boxes and the cost,” Meise said. “The Assessor was willing to team up with me, so we can get the most use out of the drop boxes for both our offices.”

Meise said due to the effects of COVID-19, the county had a “trial run” earlier in the year.

“The Auditor’s office was generous enough to let us use their ballot boxes in Ritzville and Othello,” Meise said.

She said the county is planning to order the boxes and have them installed before October, 2020.