Pennington County treasurer seeks three hires; commissioners ask for data, pause on queuing technology

Pennington County Treasurer Annette Brandt told the Board of Commissioners on June 17 she needs three additional full‑time employees to cope with high volumes of title and registration work since the state’s new vehicle system went live earlier this year.

Brandt said training for motor‑vehicle staff is time‑intensive and the office’s mail backlog has stretched from days to weeks while staff prioritizes in‑person customers. "I have $30,000 left in the budget for 2025 for overtime right now," Brandt said, and she warned that employees are exhausted and unwilling to take additional overtime.

The treasurer’s request and a broader conversation about the office’s customer queuing system turned into a wider policy discussion. Several commissioners said they support the office but asked for more objective, outcomes‑based data before approving a roughly $232,000 annual personnel cost the office estimates for three fully loaded positions.

Commissioners asked staff to produce comparative analyses showing: prior performance under a five‑day public schedule versus the current four‑day schedule, transactions per employee by shift, the queuing system’s effect on in‑person wait times and call‑center disconnects, and comparisons with a similar county (Minnehaha County) that uses the state system and dealer volumes.

Several commissioners proposed a short operational pause of the queuing technology so the county can assess whether it is improving service; others urged that approach be tested before any systemwide change. The board also discussed non‑personnel remedies the treasurer has pursued, including plans for an additional self‑service kiosk in Box Elder and HR support to speed hiring and onboarding.

After extended discussion, commissioners did not approve the three positions at the meeting. They directed county staff to compile the requested workflow and performance data and return with it at the next meeting; staff and the treasurer said they would aim to present that information by July 1. Commissioners said they will consider the evidence before making any budgetary commitment in the 2026 process.

Brandt said the treasurer’s office can justify three hires because the office handles large volumes of out‑of‑state title work and dealer processing; she also noted the state system is still stabilizing and her office is working with IT and the state. Several commissioners emphasized they want an evidence‑based justification and noted that countywide budget direction asked departments to propose status‑quo personnel plans for 2026 unless supported by data.

No formal hiring motion was adopted; the board’s directive was to return with the requested analyses for consideration during the 2026 budget cycle.