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Benson MVD office to close Feb. 12
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
As a result of the state's billion-dollar budget woes, the Benson motor vehicle office will close Friday, Feb. 12.
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) announced they would be closing 11 motor vehicle division (MVD) offices statewide to save money.
Many of the offices being closed are in rural communities such as Willcox, Bisbee, Clifton, East Mesa, Fredonia, Kearny, Superior and Williams.
Offices in Ajo, Clifton, Fredonia and Superior are currently open part time.
MVD is going from 61 offices statewide to 50, which is expected to help cut $100 million from ADOT's total budget.
On average, ADOT estimates that the offices being closed or cut to part time provide services to an estimated 28,000 customers per month.
The offices to be closed were evaluated based on the number of customers served, a review of the facilities and the availability of alternative service locations including other MVD or third-party offices.
Benson area customers will have to go to Sierra Vista or Tucson.
Benson Mayor Mark Fenn said small communities are suffering the most from continued state budget cuts.
They don't have the voice that the larger cities such as Tucson and Phoenix have, and because of that, lose the most.
"It is obviously going to be an inconvenience for residents. There are some things you can do online now, but there are others you have to do in person," he said. "Unfortunately, things like this are going to continue to happen with the state's having no answers for funding shortfalls. The cuts look like they are going to continue."
Besides MVD closures, ADOT also plans to implement a temporary suspension of operations at 13 highway rest areas, lay off up to 115 employees and reduce roadway maintenance and construction efforts in the coming year.
State officials have said 2009 was bad, but the state budget crisis is going to get worse in 2010 and 2011.
In 2010, ADOT is looking at $500 million in expected transfers from transportation, and a significant decline in vehicle license and gas tax revenues.
As a result of the state's billion-dollar budget woes, the Benson motor vehicle office will close Friday, Feb. 12.
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) announced they would be closing 11 motor vehicle division (MVD) offices statewide to save money.
Many of the offices being closed are in rural communities such as Willcox, Bisbee, Clifton, East Mesa, Fredonia, Kearny, Superior and Williams.
Offices in Ajo, Clifton, Fredonia and Superior are currently open part time.
MVD is going from 61 offices statewide to 50, which is expected to help cut $100 million from ADOT's total budget.
On average, ADOT estimates that the offices being closed or cut to part time provide services to an estimated 28,000 customers per month.
The offices to be closed were evaluated based on the number of customers served, a review of the facilities and the availability of alternative service locations including other MVD or third-party offices.
Benson area customers will have to go to Sierra Vista or Tucson.
Benson Mayor Mark Fenn said small communities are suffering the most from continued state budget cuts.
They don't have the voice that the larger cities such as Tucson and Phoenix have, and because of that, lose the most.
"It is obviously going to be an inconvenience for residents. There are some things you can do online now, but there are others you have to do in person," he said. "Unfortunately, things like this are going to continue to happen with the state's having no answers for funding shortfalls. The cuts look like they are going to continue."
Besides MVD closures, ADOT also plans to implement a temporary suspension of operations at 13 highway rest areas, lay off up to 115 employees and reduce roadway maintenance and construction efforts in the coming year.
State officials have said 2009 was bad, but the state budget crisis is going to get worse in 2010 and 2011.
In 2010, ADOT is looking at $500 million in expected transfers from transportation, and a significant decline in vehicle license and gas tax revenues.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
JM wrote on Feb 5, 2010 10:29 AM:
" I think the City should get involved and fight with the state to save our local MVD office. Now the people of Benson will be required to drive all the way to Tucson or Sierra Vista to do certain business with MVD. The people should be able to charge for time and mileage for having to go at minimum 30 miles to do required paperwork or inspections. Just going to the Sierra Vista office will be about a 3 hour trip to do 5 minutes of paperwork
Hour to get there
Hour to wait in line
and an hour back
What will that do to the elderly and teens needing to get or renew licenses?
What about the disabled who don't have rides and are on fixed income. To get a ride to Tucson or SV is about a $20 trip and that is just for Gas and time.
But again Phoenix is out of touch with the rest of the state "
Hour to get there
Hour to wait in line
and an hour back
What will that do to the elderly and teens needing to get or renew licenses?
What about the disabled who don't have rides and are on fixed income. To get a ride to Tucson or SV is about a $20 trip and that is just for Gas and time.
But again Phoenix is out of touch with the rest of the state "
cdg wrote on Feb 3, 2010 4:49 PM: