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Treasurer briefs commissioners on new DOJ vehicle-registration system; county to accept short-term hardware and monitor revenue impacts
Summary
Treasurer Lori Baker Patrick told the council the state DOJ’s new ‘CARS’ system has delivered computers and scanners and that dealers will be charged $20.09 per temporary tag print while counties will receive a 10¢ per-transaction allowance that the county plans to monitor and may seek legislative change later.
Butte-Silver Bow Treasurer Lori Baker Patrick updated the council on implementation of the new state Department of Justice vehicle-registration system and related effects on county operations and fees.
“The new car system is running very well,” Treasurer Lori Baker Patrick said, adding that the state sent seven new computers and scanners to the county and purchased a six-year service contract for that equipment. She said the new arrangement will shorten repair times because local IT staff will no longer need to route all issues through the state.
Patrick and Commissioner Fisher discussed transaction fees the state has set for dealers. Commissioner Fisher noted dealers are charged $20.09 for every time they print a 40-day temporary tag while counties will receive 10¢ per transaction under a legislative provision; Fisher said the 10¢ estimate will not cover county costs and that county attorneys pointed to a clause allowing termination or future legislative action to seek higher funding.
County Attorney Enruth and the treasurer confirmed section 10 of the agreement allows termination after two years and officials said they could return to the legislature seeking additional compensation once the county has usage data to support a change.
The council voted unanimously to concur and place communication 2025-260 on file; clerks recorded 9 yeas, 0 nays.
