By mid-month, the phone numbers you’ve been used to dialing for county services will be changing, but the current numbers will still work for about six months.

Ashe County offices from administration to social services will have an 846 prefix beginning Monday, Dec. 17, as well as an entirely new number. However, you can still reach these offices with the 219 prefix and current number until next June.

County Manager Dan McMillan said the reason for the change is that the county’s contract with Embarq (Sprint) is ending and the county is switching to service with SkyLine Membership Corporation.

“When we first came to the new courthouse site, we couldn’t get service with SkyLine, and we wanted to be with the hometown folks,” McMillan said. “When service became available, we decided to go with SkyLine when our contract ended with Embarq (Sprint). We had some problems in the beginning with Sprint, but we’ve had good service after those problems were solved.”

McMillan said the county is also switching its Internet service to SkyLine and is expecting faster service for county employees.

“We want to support the local cooperative,” McMillan said. “They’ve supported the county and community, and we want to show our appreciation by doing business with them.”

The county is given 90 days for the current numbers to continue working, and purchased another 90 days for the convenience of county residents.

Effective Monday, Dec. 17, new numbers for county agencies will be as shown below in the box.

New County Office Numbers

County Manager/Administration/Finance 846-5501

Building Inspections 846-5511

Emergency Management 846-5521

Sheriff’s Office/Communications 846-5600

Crimestoppers 846-4188

SO Administrative Office 846-5633

Records 846-5609

Warrant executions 846-5605

Gun permits 846-5632

Jail 846-5611

Elections 846-5570

E-911 Addressing 846-5520

Maintenance 846-5880

Planning 846-5529

Register of Deeds 846-5575

Veterans Services 846-5575

Social Services - Adult Services 846-5719

Social Services - Child Support 846-5734

Social Services - Food Stamps 846-5719

Social Services - Energy Assistance 846-5700

Social Services - Medicaid 846-5720

Social Services - Work First 846-5719

Tag Office 846-5530

Tax Assessor 846-5554

Tax Collector 846-5577

Tax Mapping 846-5555