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Unified Government reviews DMV study and considers transaction fee to make motor-vehicle services self-supporting
Summary
An operational assessment found the DMV processes about 258,000 transactions per year with 26 employees; officials proposed using a state-enabled additional fee (up to $10 per transaction) to fund three new FTEs, a space study, and technology upgrades rather than subsidizing DMV with the county general fund.
The administration human services committee heard an operational assessment July 13 of Wyandotte County's Division of Motor Vehicles, which processes roughly 258,000 transactions a year but currently keeps only a small per-transaction fee locally. County staff said the state returns limited local revenue and requires counties to administer motor-vehicle services while the state provides the IT system.
Chief Financial Officer Shelley Knievin said the DMV operates three locations and 26 employees process transactions that often cannot be handled online because of state system restrictions. The assessment found that many routine renewal transactions could be segmented into a faster service lane to reduce waits, and that 31% of scheduled appointment slots were no-shows during the study period (Jan 2024Jun 2025).
Staff recommended implementation of the QLESS line-management program (already procured) to segment transaction types, piloting self-service kiosks, improving signage and checklists, and considering a state-authorized transaction fee of up to $10 that would make the DMV self-sustaining, pay for three new frontline FTEs and fund a space needs study. Knievin said fully implementing the $10 projection could generate about $1.6 million in new revenue based on current transaction volumes.
Commissioners discussed public acceptance of an added fee, the need to press the state to return some modernization funds, and alternatives such as increasing merchant credit-card surcharges. Staff said some counties have adopted similar fees and that the proposal could be phased in if approved by the full commission and implemented in coordination with the state.
No final decision was made; staff asked for commission guidance and suggested bringing the item to the full commission for broader discussion during budget deliberations.
