August 18, 2021
A staff member assigned to the customer service/finance department tested positive for the COVID-19 virus on this date. Exposed unvaccinated staff at this location have been sent home following guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and the Gaston County Health and Human Services. This exposure has left the city finance department and customer service division operating with a skeleton crew. City Hall Annex, which houses finance and customer service, located at 125 East Virginia Ave., is now closed to the public until further notice. This location operates with a drive-through lane of which only one lane will be open to conduct business due to staffing shortage. All visitors to any city building will be required to wear masks to enter city buildings.
I ask for patience from the public as they deal with longer wait times at the city annex and when calling in for issues. The COVID-19 exposure is not ideal for anyone and is particularly difficult on the staff working with very little help at the city hall annex. I encourage citizens to use the drop box at the front of the city hall annex or go online to www.bessemercity.com to pay utility bills for this time.
In other news, the City is has partnered to offer a Drive Thru COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic tomorrow, Thursday, August 19, 2021 at the Allan Farris Community Center (220 S. 14th Street, Bessemer City, NC 28016) from the hours of 12pm-4pm. Both Moderna and Johnson/Johnson vaccines will be offered. There will be $100 gift cards given to those that receive a vaccine while supplies last. There is no appointment necessary.
Thank you,
James Inman, ICMA-CM MPA MCJ
City Manager