Offices to be closed for upcoming holidays

Federal administrative offices will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; the same is true for state offices.

But among cities, office hours vary for the upcoming holidays. Here's a roundup:

* Cape Girardeau: Closed Christmas and New Year's days. "As of right now, we're open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve," said Gayle Conrad, city clerk. Early closing on either day is "always a possibility, depending on workload and traffic. The amount of business will determine whether we stay open or not."

Southeast Missourian readers can check www.semissourian.com each day for early closing bulletins.

* Chaffee: Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Mayor Loretta Mohorc said city hall, 222 S. Main St., will be open until 3 p.m. Dec. 31 for last-minute taxpayers.

• Jackson: Closed at 2 p.m. Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day; open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. New Year's Eve; closed New Year's Day.
• Marble Hill: Closed all four days. City treasurer Melisa Armstrong said people paying taxes Dec. 31 may use a drop box at city hall, 302 Union St.
• Perryville: Closed all four days. City clerk Tracy Prost said people can mail in tax payments ahead of the Dec. 31 deadline, or use a drop box at city hall, 215 N. West St., or the drive-up drop box at the corner of North Jackson and West North streets.
• Scott City: Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 31.

"I would imagine we will stay open until 5 p.m.," said Mayor Tim Porch. "We may send some people home early, but we'll be open until 5 p.m. to collect city taxes."

• Perry County: Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Offices will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 31, said county clerk Randy Taylor.

"We're right across the hall from the collector's [office], and that's a busy time for taxpayers," he said. Asked if the office might close early, he said, "Absolutely not."

• Scott County: Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 31, according to County Clerk Rita Milam, who said the clerk and collector offices will remain open through the lunch hour.
• Cape Girardeau County: Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The collector's office will be open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 31, "regardless of what the other offices do," said Diane Diebold, county collector. County Clerk Kara Clark said her office will in the office until 4:30 p.m. as well.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127