Private operator pitches running Grant County license bureau; county asks for more analysis

Drew Bolio, owner of the Morris County deputy registrar office, told the Grant County Board he submitted a proposal to operate the county's license center and answered commissioners' questions about services, staffing and finances.

Bolio said the current license bureau ran a negative $54,000 in 2024 (not including rent/utilities) and proposed operating the Grand County center with about 1.5 full-time-equivalent staff by shifting some existing employees between locations. He described a likely 3–4 month transition timeline if the board chooses a private operator and offered contingency language for what would happen if a private operator could not follow through. Bolio also proposed expanding services over time — accepting credit cards, selling hunting/fishing licenses and potentially passports — to increase revenue.

Board members asked for more detailed transaction counts, a financial projection tied to staffing levels, and a contingency plan in contract language to protect the county if the private operator cannot complete the transition. Commissioners discussed whether the review should go to the county's strategic planning committee or be handled as a special work session; the board scheduled further study and suggested the topic be placed on a December work session agenda.

Bolio said his Morris office had increased business and that he could move staff part-time to Grand County to cover training, vacations and absences. He declined to commit to an acquisition without contractual contingencies and said the work would be a retirement-era business for him.