“The transition was seamless!”
That’s how Linn County Deputy Auditor Becky Shoop described the functions of the Auditor’s Office before, during and after the flood.
With only days to spare before the start of early voting on September 29, employees in the Auditor’s Office relocated around $1 million worth of voting systems from the Public Service Center to the lobby of the Community Services Building on Sunday, September 25. There, they maintained normal office functions from September 26-30.
Every customer was greeted with a smile and personalized assistance. In each instance, staff helped the customer with their request even if the request meant helping the customer access services from a different department.
“Two customers came into the lobby and didn’t know how they would pay their court tickets (due by the end of the month). Beth & Amanda helped them pay their tickets online and printed receipts for them,” explained Shoop. And during one of her trips moving items out of the Public Service Center, Shoop personally brought back a property tax payment for an older gentleman and provided the stamped envelope to ensure he would receive a receipt in the mail.
After the close of business on September 30, the same employees moved all their equipment back to the Public Service Center. The Auditor’s Office was completely functional and open for business back in their permanent location on the following Monday (October 3).
But Shoop says she is most proud of the fact the employees in her department never complained, never missed the opportunity to help a customer and, in general, never missed a beat.
“This may not sound as impressive as filling HESCO barriers or staying in the courthouse overnight watching pumps,” said Shoop, “but it was a remarkable effort. The perfect example of a Customer Centered Culture!”