By Joey McWilliams
DURANT – It is still tough to imagine anyone other than Bill Orr in the role of Tag Agent in Durant. He held that title for 27 years.
But with his passing on June 4, the position has become open. Meanwhile, the office on Evergreen Street has been closed ‘until further notice from the state,’ a note on the front door reads.
The Oklahoma Tax Commission will soon select a new tag agent and the timetable given by Paula Ross, Director of Communications for the OTC, has that selection to be named near the end of July.
“We’re taking applications until the end of next week, which would be July 7,” Ross said. “At that time, we’ll review the applications, do interviews and hopefully that following week we can present it to the commission. So I would say it will be a relatively quick turnaround, but with waiting for applications and interviews, I would say you’re looking probably toward June 21 or the end of the month.”
Three other tag agencies are open in Bryan County to serve the area: Bokchito Tag Office (404 W. Main), Caddo Tag Office (125 Buffalo, Caddo) and Red River Tag Agency (711 N. McKinley, Calera).
Also of note is that drivers needing to pick a new license or renew one can do so in the county only at the Caddo or Calera offices, until the Durant office reopens. This service is not available in Bokchito.