Butler County commissioners said they have received growing numbers of complaints about the county motor vehicle (tag) office and plan to meet with state legislators in the next 45 days to press for fixes to the Department of Revenue systems and the current funding structure.

Commissioners said the office is drawing heavy public frustration because commercial transactions and some vehicle registrations take a long time to process under the state’s procedures. One commissioner noted the county receives a fixed fee (about $15) for each commercial transaction while the processing time can be an hour or more, creating a local burden.

The Commission discussed technology issues that slow transactions, the burdens caused by spike days when many people come in, staffing limits that make it difficult to handle last-minute surges, and that the state’s fee-based funding model leaves counties vulnerable to inflation because per-transaction fees do not scale. “The process the state has is antiquated and that messed up,” a commissioner said.

Commissioners said they will set up a meeting with legislators to discuss two related priorities: (1) improvements to the Department of Revenue registration systems to enable more automation (for example, VIN-based population of vehicle data), and (2) reconsideration of the funding structure that ties county compensation to flat fees rather than a percentage model. Commissioners suggested partnering with other counties that have raised the issue to increase pressure for change.

Why it matters: Long wait times and complex commercial transactions affect residents and local businesses and have prompted public complaints; commissioners said system and funding changes at the state level would be needed to resolve the issues.

What's next: Commissioners will schedule meetings with legislators within roughly 45 days to discuss system fixes and funding reforms; county staff will continue public communication encouraging online renewals and use of the QLESS appointment system.