FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Applauds Revenue’s Extended Hours; Customer Service Focus
JEFFERSON CITY—Gov. Matt Blunt today thanked Department of Revenue employees for their efforts to offer exceptional service and convenient access for customers by giving them a chance to do business both before and after standard business hours.
"The department’s extended hours are a great example of state government working to meet customers’ needs," Blunt said. "Employees’ flexibility and innovation has paid off with better service and improved efficiency at no cost to Missouri’s hardworking taxpayers."
The department extended its working hours in April to 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Now, in the sixth month of the new schedule, statistics indicate the extended hours are a success.
"I have been very pleased with the department’s extended hours strategy," said department Director Trish Vincent. "I’ve been saying this for months, but this underscores the point: Customer service is our number one priority, and adjusting to fit our customers’ needs is making us a better organization."
During the months of April, May, and June, Revenue employees handled nearly 20,000 calls during the extended service periods.
"I am delighted our employees have embraced this change and are doing their best to provide excellent customer service. We implemented extended hours just before the tax deadline this year, and I think that is reflected in our figures. Anecdotally, one would expect that we were able to serve more customers more quickly by extending our hours," Vincent said.
In the first three months of the new hours, the department handled 19,422 calls and 987 customer visits during the extended hours.
For more information, contact Maura Browning at the Missouri Department of Revenue (573)751-8222.
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