Miami County treasurer proposes raising driver's license convenience fee to $15

Trisha Lee, Miami County treasurer, told the Board of County Commissioners at its Sept. 16 study session that the county's current $3 convenience fee for driver's license renewals does not cover the cost of staffing and recommended raising the fee to $15.

"It costs about $72,000 to have, the county pay for a person to do driver's license," Lee said, and later added, "I recommend 15." She said the county handles about 5,000 driver's license transactions and that the $3 fee currently charged at the county's renewal station falls well short of covering personnel costs.

A staff member who prepared the department spreadsheet told commissioners the fee required to cover a $72,000 position would be roughly $14.35 based on historical averages. "That's gonna be roughly $14.35, that they would need to charge to get there," the staff member said.

Commissioners signaled there was no formal vote at the study session but expressed sufficient support to have staff draft a resolution for the commission to consider. Chair asked staff to prepare a resolution so the commission can vote next week; Treasurer Lee said she would work with staff on the details. No effective date or final vote was taken at the study session.