Anne Arundel County residents will now find it easier to voice issues and concerns, the county is promising.
When they call 410-222-2222, they will get a live person, County Executive John Leopold announced Tuesday.
“I am pleased to accomplish this goal, which will more efficiently respond to the needs and concerns of county residents within existing resources,” Leopold said in a written statement.
Previously, residents calling to voice complaints to the county were instructed to dial a general information line and then were forced to wait to be transferred to an appropriate department, county spokeswoman Rhonda Wardlaw said.
“The problem [with the old system] was that callers were being put to voice mails, transferred to the wrong place, or the representative they were trying to reach was out in the community and not there to help with calls,” Wardlaw said.
There is now a staff of seven people manning five lines in the Office of Community and Constituent Services to “make sure [a resident?s] problem, concern or issue is takencare of by the proper person,” Wardlaw said.
Yevola Peters, the director of the office, said this service is necessary because previously people had to be redirected to the correct office.
“This gives them a more direct approach,” Peters said.
Wardlaw said the county is paying an extra $35 monthly to add the one new phone line and is using four other rollover lines that will not cost any additional money. She also said the office does not need to hire any new staff.
The line was created for nonemergency calls only. It will be available from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
