Assessor warns DMV offices are stretched as transaction volumes rise; state bill to increase funding failed

Karsten, the county assessor, told commissioners the county's DMV operations are under strain as transaction volumes rise and more dealer work is being routed to smaller offices.

"In Cedar, the number of transactions per day on average exceeds a hundred transactions per person," Karsten said, and added that on busy days one office team served about 600 customers. Historically small offices such as Parowan have seen average daily transactions rise from 8–12 to roughly 18–20 in the last year, he said.

Why it matters: the county's contract with the state covering DMV operations has not kept pace with workload, Karsten said. He told commissioners a bill pushed this session—identified in discussion as SB59—passed the Senate but failed in the House. "I'm not sure why it got voted down," Karsten said. He and staff plan to follow up with legislators to seek additional state support.

Staffing and options: Karsten said the Cedar office has been asked for a part‑time hire and that a small reconfiguration of office space could allow a part‑time desk. "Tara's asked for another part time person over the last year or so ... because they're so bombarded," he said. The assessor's office is also trying to train and license local staff; Karsten noted an employee, Braden Beaumont, recently passed a licensing test after several years of training.

The assessor characterized the current contract with the state as "20 something years old" and said it does not cover current administrative costs. He asked commissioners to consider assisting advocacy efforts with legislators to secure a sustained change in funding.

Ending: Karsten urged commissioners to consider the longer‑term staffing and budget implications and said he would continue outreach to legislators and partners such as the Utah Association of Counties.