Alto’s tax office temporarily closes

by Cristin Parker cristin@thecherokeean.com

Southern Cherokee County residents will have to travel to Rusk to pay their taxes and register their cars for the time being.

The county’s Annex office in Alto is temporarily closed, due to staffing shortages.

“We’ve had two people leave our employ recently – one left and the other retired,” Cherokee County Tax Assessor Collector Linda Little said. “And with the onslaught of tax payments currently coming in, I’ve pulled the third staff member to the Rusk office to assist there.

“(Alto’s office closing) is only temporary, until I get the new employees trained. It’s a very labor intensive training process.”

Little said while she’s hired one new staffer, she still has an opening for the second position.

“Applications are being accepted at the county’s HR department as we speak,” Little said.

The Cherokee County tax assessor-collector’s office collects taxes for the county; collects various other fees for the state and county; processes motor vehicle title transfers; and issues motor vehicle registration and licenses.

Little reminded citizens they can pay their county property taxes and register their vehicles both online and through the mail, 135 S. Main St., Rusk, TX 75785.

Visit Cherokee County’s website, co.cherokee.tx.us and click on the Tax Assessor Collector tab under County Offices to pay Cherokee County property taxes online.

“Payments made via credit card will be posted in the Tax Office after the funds are received in the Tax Office bank account,” the website states. “From the time a payment is submitted, there are three to seven business days before the Tax Office receives the funds.

“Tax payments made by midnight, Jan. 31, 2020, for 2019 property taxes will be posted as ON TIME payments, without penalty or interest. Be sure to get your payment confirmation number when your payment is accepted.”