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Budget cuts blamed for Tulelake DMV office closure
Published October 24, 2003
By LEE JUILLERAT
Workloads at the Tulelake Department of Motor Vehicles office have dropped to an all-time low, prompting the state to close it.
The last day the Tulelake office will operate is Friday, Oct. 31. It will be the first office closed as part of a statewide DMV cost savings effort that is expected to expand throughout California.
DMV spokesman Bill Branch said Thursday his office "deeply regrets the necessity to close the Tulelake field office," but he defended the action.
"It is a painful decision that we do not take lightly, because we know the closure of any field office will inconvenience some of our valued customers," Branch said. "But anyone who has been reading the newspapers during the past few months is aware of California's monumental budget crisis - the worst ever in the state's history."
The impending closure was discussed Thursday night during a Town Hall meeting in Tulelake held by State Assemblyman Doug Lamalfa, whose 2nd District includes the Tulelake Basin. Although not part of his planned presentation, much of the session was devoted to the issue because of concerns expressed by the audience of about 40 people.
Lamalfa met during a meeting break with Sue Farthing, the Tulelake DMV office manager, and later received letters against the closure.
Branch, however, said the closure is necessary because Californians have rejected tax increases.
"The only alternative is to cut services," Branch said. "Like all departments of state government, the DMV has been directed to cut its budget by 10 to 12 percent, and larger cuts could lie ahead before the budget crisis is solved.
"The state hiring freeze," he said, "has already caused the loss of more than 400 DMV front-line field office employees - the ones who directly serve customers, and we expect that number to reach 500 by Jan. 1. There is no way we can lose that many front-line field office employees without closing some offices."
Branch said Tulelake Basin customers can handle virtually all vehicle registration transactions by mail, Internet or telephone. He said that most, although not all, driver's license renewals can be done by mail. DMV forms and information are available via Internet at www.dmv.ca.gov.
"If customers use mail, telephone and Internet, they will be delighted to find that many customers can go 15 years without needing to enter a DMV field office," Branch said.
Branch said the state has been sending work to the Tulelake office from other offices "to keep the one employee in that office busy enough to justify their employment."
Although Farthing is still the office manager, she has officially been off work since April for on-the-job injuries, so a relief manager has taken over duties. Branch said that costs about $2,000 monthly in extra travel payments.
"Because of the budget crisis, DMV regrettably no longer has the funds to afford that extra expense," he said. "Additionally, there are no banks, doctors, dentists, and the town lacks many other community services that might attract enough customers to keep the local DMV office open in a time of dwindling state funds."
He had no information on costs of operating the Tulelake office, or the income the office generates.
Branch said more closures will probably be announced in coming weeks or months.
"How many we don't know yet," Branch said. "The number depends on budget negotiations in coming days or weeks. These are extraordinary times, and before this budget crisis is solved, all Californians are likely to feel the effects."
By LEE JUILLERAT
Workloads at the Tulelake Department of Motor Vehicles office have dropped to an all-time low, prompting the state to close it.
The last day the Tulelake office will operate is Friday, Oct. 31. It will be the first office closed as part of a statewide DMV cost savings effort that is expected to expand throughout California.
DMV spokesman Bill Branch said Thursday his office "deeply regrets the necessity to close the Tulelake field office," but he defended the action.
"It is a painful decision that we do not take lightly, because we know the closure of any field office will inconvenience some of our valued customers," Branch said. "But anyone who has been reading the newspapers during the past few months is aware of California's monumental budget crisis - the worst ever in the state's history."
The impending closure was discussed Thursday night during a Town Hall meeting in Tulelake held by State Assemblyman Doug Lamalfa, whose 2nd District includes the Tulelake Basin. Although not part of his planned presentation, much of the session was devoted to the issue because of concerns expressed by the audience of about 40 people.
Lamalfa met during a meeting break with Sue Farthing, the Tulelake DMV office manager, and later received letters against the closure.
Branch, however, said the closure is necessary because Californians have rejected tax increases.
"The only alternative is to cut services," Branch said. "Like all departments of state government, the DMV has been directed to cut its budget by 10 to 12 percent, and larger cuts could lie ahead before the budget crisis is solved.
"The state hiring freeze," he said, "has already caused the loss of more than 400 DMV front-line field office employees - the ones who directly serve customers, and we expect that number to reach 500 by Jan. 1. There is no way we can lose that many front-line field office employees without closing some offices."
Branch said Tulelake Basin customers can handle virtually all vehicle registration transactions by mail, Internet or telephone. He said that most, although not all, driver's license renewals can be done by mail. DMV forms and information are available via Internet at www.dmv.ca.gov.
"If customers use mail, telephone and Internet, they will be delighted to find that many customers can go 15 years without needing to enter a DMV field office," Branch said.
Branch said the state has been sending work to the Tulelake office from other offices "to keep the one employee in that office busy enough to justify their employment."
Although Farthing is still the office manager, she has officially been off work since April for on-the-job injuries, so a relief manager has taken over duties. Branch said that costs about $2,000 monthly in extra travel payments.
"Because of the budget crisis, DMV regrettably no longer has the funds to afford that extra expense," he said. "Additionally, there are no banks, doctors, dentists, and the town lacks many other community services that might attract enough customers to keep the local DMV office open in a time of dwindling state funds."
He had no information on costs of operating the Tulelake office, or the income the office generates.
Branch said more closures will probably be announced in coming weeks or months.
"How many we don't know yet," Branch said. "The number depends on budget negotiations in coming days or weeks. These are extraordinary times, and before this budget crisis is solved, all Californians are likely to feel the effects."
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Ralph Sayre wrote on Jan 31, 2009 6:13 AM:
" I've just read an article (2005) titled "Discarded Soul at Peace."
I'm trying to complete a bio for an ancestor, VIRGIL ELROY SNOW, who was born in Roane County, West Virginia 2 December 1884. Last info I have was that at age 48, he was killed in Klamath Falls by a hit and run.
There is no indication that he fathered children. We were hopeful that there may have been a male child to carry on the SNOW name.
If anyone knows, please email me.
Thanks,
Ralph Sayre in WV "
I'm trying to complete a bio for an ancestor, VIRGIL ELROY SNOW, who was born in Roane County, West Virginia 2 December 1884. Last info I have was that at age 48, he was killed in Klamath Falls by a hit and run.
There is no indication that he fathered children. We were hopeful that there may have been a male child to carry on the SNOW name.
If anyone knows, please email me.
Thanks,
Ralph Sayre in WV "
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Ilene S wrote on May 21, 2009 9:36 AM: