The City of Thomasville has announced changes to operational procedures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective Monday, March 23, 2020, the City Administrative Building and other facilities will be closed to the general public. City Manager Alan Carson said that despite these closings, the business of operating both local government and public utilities would continue.
“While we are taking precautions to protect the health and safety of our customers and our staff, we realize that life continues to move forward and that business must continue as well,” Carson said. “This does not mean we will not have staff reporting to work ready to serve our customers. As long as we are healthy and able to report for duty, all City of Thomasville staff members will be ready to serve the citizens of Thomasville.”
Carson said that while City staff will continue to serve customers and citizens, operational procedures may be slightly altered. “We are committed to providing the excellent customer service and access to important utilities that the community has come to expect of us,” he said. “However, how we do that may look slightly different moving forward.”
Effective Monday, March 23, 2020, access will be limited to key administrative locations, including the following:
- City Administrative Building, located at 111 Victoria Place
- Office of Engineering and Planning, located at 411 W. Jackson Street
- Office of Building and Code Enforcement, located at 413 W. Jackson Street
- Municipal Building (Office of Main Street and Tourism), located at 144 E. Jackson Street
- Thomasville Police Department, located at 921 Smith Avenue
- Thomasville Fire Rescue, all substation locations
- Country Oaks Golf Course, located at 6481 GA Hwy 122
- Cemetery Office, located at 751 Remington Avenue
- Solid Waste, located at 925 Davenport Drive
- Public Works, located at 925 Davenport Drive
- Fleet Services, located 923 Davenport Drive
- Operations, located at 944 Smith Avenue
- Utility Response Center, located at 326 Fletcher Street
- Technical Services, located at 217 Victoria Place
- Wastewater Treatment Plant, located at 2299 County Line Road
- Water Treatment Plant, located at 341 Fletcher Street
Customers may access their accounts using the Utilities Online link at Thomasville.org. Customers also have many alternatives to paying their utility bill, including online at Thomasville.org or by telephone utilizing the Interactive Voice Response System (IVR). “Customers may also continue to bring payments to our offices at 111 Victoria Place and utilize the drive thru service or drop box for payments,” said Sheryl Sealy, Managing Director of Marketing and Communications.
The City’s website at Thomasville.org is also where customers can establish new utility services or request a transfer. “We currently offer an online application link for both residential and commercial customers,” said Sealy. “All documentation that is required to establish services can be uploaded via the online application. Customers can upload a PDF or take photos and upload the images.”
For customers who wish to terminate services, customers will need to call 227-7001. “We will discuss equipment returns by telephone, making it safe, easy and convenient for our customers,” said Sealy. Customers who wish to make changes to their CNSNext services can also handle most requests by telephone.
While Main Street and Tourism offices will be closed, staff will continue to work supporting local businesses. “The top priority of our downtown staff is to support our local business owners through these trying times,” said Carson. “Even with public access limited, staff members will be working hard to share resources with merchants and communicating information about the new ways our local businesses are operating in a rapidly changing environment.”
Downtown Thomasville’s webpage, Thomasvillega.com, will also remain updated with information, including the hours of operation for popular sites and attractions. Information is also updated on the Visit Thomasville! mobile app.
Carson reiterated that the City of Thomasville will work with those customers concerned about access to their utility services. “We understand the COVID-19 situation is uncertain for many of our customers,” he said. “We also understand that our customers need access to their utility services during this time. Our approach during this crisis is to work with our customers individually to find solutions to their unique situations. We understand that each person may have a different situation, so we ask customers facing hardship to reach out to us so that we can give each person individualized, personal attention.” Customers with questions about their utility accounts should call 227-7001.
“City leadership and local officials are monitoring the situation in order to develop the best response possible for our community,” said Carson. “While we understand this is a time of uncertainty for many, we want to assure our citizens and our customers that the City of Thomasville is here to serve now and throughout this crisis situation.”
The City of Thomasville has established a special page on Thomasville.org dedicated to the City’s COVID-19 response. Additional information will be shared on the City’s social media sites and CNSNext Channel 6.
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