ESTANCIA, NM – Torrance County Clerk, Treasurer, Assessor, and Administrative Offices will re-open to public this coming Monday, May 4th. “Given the few number of COVID-19 cases in Torrance County and the lack of community spread, we believe that we can re-open our administrative building, and do so safely”, said County Manager Wayne Johnson.
“We have property tax collection, valuation protests, and early voting all beginning in May,” said Commission Chair Ryan Schwebach. “The County Administrative Building in Estancia, simply cannot remain completely closed to the public during this critical time,” Schwebach continued.
Despite the public health orders, property taxes remain due by May 10th. Since the 10th is a Sunday, taxpayers will be able to pay or have their payments postmarked by May 11th. For everyone’s safety the Treasurer’s Office is encouraging taxpayers to pay by mail. They may also pay online by going to the County website www.torrancecountynm.org. Online payments are subject to a service fee that cannot be waived. For questions call the Treasurer’s Office at 505-544-4800.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the beginning of the tax protest period was pushed back from April 1st to May 1st. Those who wish to protest their property tax valuation, may file a protest by May 30th, 2020. Protest forms are available online on the Assessor’s page of the County website – www.torrancecountynm.org. Residents are encouraged to download the form and return it via email to tcassessor@tcnm.us or mail them to P.O. Box 258, Estancia, NM 87016. For more information call the Torrance County Assessor’s Office at 505-544-4300.
Early In-Person Voting begins May 5th. Torrance County registered voters may cast their ballots in person at the Clerk’s early voting site located in the Torrance County Administrative Building, 205 S Ninth Street, in Estancia. The entrance to the Early Voting Site will be located in the back of the building. Parking will be available. Voters are encouraged to request an absentee ballot and may do by calling 505-544-4350 or online at www.NMVote.org.
The County will require the public to observe the six foot social distancing rule for any in-person visits to County facilities, and they may be asked to wait in the hall or outside the building if too many people are present. Residents are encouraged to use one of the online or mail options to access County services. Animal Services remains closed to the public.
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