Officials ‘shell shocked’ by $299M DMV funding increase
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Elected officials expressed harsh criticism toward Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles leadership following their request to adjust new program deadlines to their original strategy, which would increase funding by $299 million.
During an Apr. 11 Interim Financial Committee (IFC) meeting, Molly Lennon, Nevada DMV research and project management administrator, provided an update on the DMV Transformation Effort, a multiyear effort to move toward digital-based solutions for the department.
According to DMV officials, the original deadline for the effort was set for 2029 but leadership had previously sought a more ambitious goal of completion for 2026.
Lennon outlined a series of existing accomplishments by IT staff and other third parties but indicated the effort would need to be pushed back to its original deadline in 2029 along with $299 million in funding.
“It was originally in an attempt to complete in four years,” she said.
Assemblyman Howard Watts, an IFC committee member, expressed concern the DMV’s effort would now be behind schedule and over budget and noted the new report contradicted a previous March DMV report.
“Frankly it’s very surprising to me Ms. Lennon,” Watts said. “Yet now we are hearing you are extremely behind the schedule that we were presented during the last session.”
Tonya Laney, Nevada DMV director, responded to the committee’s concerns by pointing out the department was changing back to an original deadline and not delayed.
“We’re not behind,” she said. “I think where the misunderstanding is that we had intentions with our staff being able to continue the development by being able to upscale their technical knowledge.”
Laney said following their March report they discovered their technical team would not be able to accomplish their goals for the 2026 deadline.
DMV officials said the biggest cost would be for outsourcing development for some components of the effort but the existing technical staff would still be handling other development and support operations—whereas outsourcing it entirely would cost much more.
CHANGING GEARS
Some components of the DMV Transformation Effort have already been launched and are currently used by customers in Nevada, according to officials.
New DMV Features
Driver license/ID card tracking
Automated chatbot on DMV websites
Online title fee payment
Online written drivers license testing
Compliance enforcement case management tracker
Some goals remain for Nevada DMV staff to launch such as online title uploading, online call center, and online driver’s license and vehicle registration.
8 News Now reported on additional changes to the Nevada DMV appointment system which is currently in use in Reno, Fallon, and Carson City offices.
Lennon said a new online registration system is still planned to go online for customers in Aug. 2024 which will be somewhat reliant on a third-party system.
However technological limitations and staff limitations are now pushing back what staff called an “ambitious deadline.”
“ENDLESS BUCKET OF MONEY”
Assemblywoman Daniele Monroe-Moreno, IFC Chair, said the deadline change and obstacles provided in the Nevada DMV’s report did not fully merit the future request for a budget increase of $299 million.
“I’m going to be very forthcoming and honest with you,” she said. “The state does not have an endless bucket of money to put into failed projects.”
Watts said he acknowledged the hard work of Nevada DMV staff but was disappointed the state department would face a multiyear delay.
“I’m really concerned about how we as a state are going to be able to absorb these costs,” he said.
Laney replied the deadline move comes at the cost of guaranteeing an efficient transformation of the Nevada DMV.
“We have been very open and honest and transparent with our staff that we are not going to force something to meet an arbitrary deadline,” she said. “We want it done correctly, not quickly.”
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