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Benson MVD office may close
Derek Jordan/Herald/Review
Three of the county's five state Motor Vehicle Division offices could be closing as the Arizona Department of Transportation cuts costs amid a $100 million budget deficit.
On Tuesday, the department announced its intention to close the MVD offices in Benson, Bisbee and Willcox, as well as nine others across the state, in an effort to balance the department's budget. The Sierra Vista and Douglas locations were not scheduled to be closed.
"The closure of MVD offices is an inconvenience and hardship for our customers, especially in rural Arizona," department Director John Halikowski said in a statement. "However, inadequate state revenues are forcing tough decisions to be made."
Before the offices can be closed, a review by the U.S. Department of Justice is required to ensure that, since the offices provide voter registration services, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 will not be violated, according to a news release announcing the office closures.
There is no way to know how long the review process will take, said Doug Nintzel, department spokesman.
Nintzel said falling revenues from taxes on things like gasoline and new cars are not the only reason the department is in a financial hole.
"We've seen hundreds of millions of transportation funds diverted to help with the state's overall budget deficit over the last couple years," Nintzel said. "Combined with declines in revenue, we have no other choice but the make decisions that will unfortunately effect our customers."
The criteria considered in the decision to close the offices include the number of customers served, the condition of the facilities in which they were located and the availability of other services in the area, including other MVD offices, the release stated.
The two full-time employees who staff each of the offices in Cochise County scheduled to close will be given the option to relocate to one of the nearby offices, Nintzel said. Those who are unable or unwilling to work at other locations will be reimbursed for any unused leave time.
"We warned the Legislature that we would get to this point, where impacts that affect customers would be necessary," Nintzel said.
Customers are urged to only come to their local Motor Vehicle Division service office if their needs cannot be met elsewhere, like the MVD's Web site, www.servicearizona.com, which can process annual vehicle registration renewals as well as other services, he said.
Moving toward closure
State Motor Vehicle Department customer service offices in Cochise County scheduled to close:
Benson, 553 W. Fourth St.
Bisbee, 219 Arizona St.
Willcox, 132-A W. Maley St.
Other locations: Ajo, Central Phoenix (28th Street), Clifton, East Mesa, Fredonia, Kearny, St. Johns, Superior and Williams.
Three of the county's five state Motor Vehicle Division offices could be closing as the Arizona Department of Transportation cuts costs amid a $100 million budget deficit.
On Tuesday, the department announced its intention to close the MVD offices in Benson, Bisbee and Willcox, as well as nine others across the state, in an effort to balance the department's budget. The Sierra Vista and Douglas locations were not scheduled to be closed.
"The closure of MVD offices is an inconvenience and hardship for our customers, especially in rural Arizona," department Director John Halikowski said in a statement. "However, inadequate state revenues are forcing tough decisions to be made."
Before the offices can be closed, a review by the U.S. Department of Justice is required to ensure that, since the offices provide voter registration services, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 will not be violated, according to a news release announcing the office closures.
There is no way to know how long the review process will take, said Doug Nintzel, department spokesman.
Nintzel said falling revenues from taxes on things like gasoline and new cars are not the only reason the department is in a financial hole.
"We've seen hundreds of millions of transportation funds diverted to help with the state's overall budget deficit over the last couple years," Nintzel said. "Combined with declines in revenue, we have no other choice but the make decisions that will unfortunately effect our customers."
The criteria considered in the decision to close the offices include the number of customers served, the condition of the facilities in which they were located and the availability of other services in the area, including other MVD offices, the release stated.
The two full-time employees who staff each of the offices in Cochise County scheduled to close will be given the option to relocate to one of the nearby offices, Nintzel said. Those who are unable or unwilling to work at other locations will be reimbursed for any unused leave time.
"We warned the Legislature that we would get to this point, where impacts that affect customers would be necessary," Nintzel said.
Customers are urged to only come to their local Motor Vehicle Division service office if their needs cannot be met elsewhere, like the MVD's Web site, www.servicearizona.com, which can process annual vehicle registration renewals as well as other services, he said.
Moving toward closure
State Motor Vehicle Department customer service offices in Cochise County scheduled to close:
Other locations: Ajo, Central Phoenix (28th Street), Clifton, East Mesa, Fredonia, Kearny, St. Johns, Superior and Williams.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
cdg wrote on Nov 25, 2009 4:40 PM:
" The wasteful government squanders billions for unnecessary services. Then, when tax revenues fall, and the voters reject tax increases, the government cuts essential services to "get even" and hopefully garner support for tax increases -- to continue to pay for government inefficiency and unnecessary/undesirable services.
The obvious solution to this and most other government-created problems is to replace ALL incumbents with more honest candidates in the next election. "
The obvious solution to this and most other government-created problems is to replace ALL incumbents with more honest candidates in the next election. "
angelo wrote on Nov 25, 2009 6:21 PM:
" the statewasted our money during the "good times"now they punish us during the bad.
why not leave benson open to serve wilcox, bisbee, etc and reduce service at a couple of phoenix/tucson branches to compensate?
i think they could lose one person a week, floating from various branches, to keep benson open andmost only drive 30-45 minutes vs 1 hour+ and then sit for 3+ hours at the mvd waiting for service. "
why not leave benson open to serve wilcox, bisbee, etc and reduce service at a couple of phoenix/tucson branches to compensate?
i think they could lose one person a week, floating from various branches, to keep benson open andmost only drive 30-45 minutes vs 1 hour+ and then sit for 3+ hours at the mvd waiting for service. "
MJ wrote on Nov 26, 2009 9:46 AM:
" John, I don't know what you're drinking but the traffic cameras definitely do not blind anybody. And as for unsuspecting drivers, if you follow the posted speed limit you won't have a problem with getting cited. The traffic cameras are an excellent tool for catching those people who ignore the law and pose a danger to other drivers on the road. John, you're a moron. "
Vigilante1 wrote on Nov 29, 2009 9:39 PM:
" Hey MJ if you like cameras invading your constitutionally guaranteed rights to privacy then move to Europe. As far as closing the MVD office... the less people on the government payroll the better....period! "
MJ wrote on Dec 4, 2009 8:30 AM:
" Vigilante1, define the "constitutional right to privacy" while driving a vehicle on a public roadway. If you're breaking the law (e.g. speeding) and you get caught via a traffic camera, too bad for you. I don't have a problem with that. The traffic cameras aren't invading anybody's privacy. If the traffic cameras were being used for purposes other than recording traffic violations I would have an issue with them, but they are not. The point is quite simple: Obey the law and you won't have a problem. As far as moving to Europe, I love my country and I will defend our rights to the bitter end. If you're so concerned about constitutional rights, you need to focus on bigger issues and make sure you understand the facts. If you're a vigilante as your screen name suggests maybe you're the one who needs to move out of the U.S.. Respect this country, our constitution and our laws. Traffic cameras aren't the problem, those individuals who can't abide by the law(s) are... "
John wrote on Nov 25, 2009 10:52 AM: