County treasurers are trying to convince legislators to up the amount they’re reimbursed for issuing state driver’s licenses. Jasper County Treasurer, Doug Bishop, says it costs a treasurer’s office about $10 per license in administrative costs, and the Iowa Department of Transportation reimburses county treasurers only $7 per license.
Bishop says, "We’re asking to cover the gap, the customer at the counter cover that three dollars. That’s 60 cents a year over the life of a license. That way we don’t have to worry about some of the smaller county treasurers getting out of the driver’s license business."
Bishop says the bill would give the county supervisors some discretion in raising the fee. Bishop says the board of supervisors would vote on an increase up to $3. He says some treasurers might say they need only a $1 surcharge, while others might want 2 or the full $3. The cost of a five year license with a full $3 increase would be $23.