City Council Resolution 2009-02CITY OF MONTICELLO
WRIGHT COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-2
RESOLUTION SUPPPORTING
MAINTENANCE OF LOCAL TITLE AND REGISTRATION SERVICES
WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota established a public/private deputy registrar system to provide
citizens convenient locations to conduct title registration services for motor vehicles and DNR
recreational vehicles; and,
WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota in 1949 established a user service fee on motor vehicle
transactions to be retained by the deputy registrar to defray the cost of providing the local service; and,
WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota has shifted increased costs and responsibilities onto the deputy
registrar such as regular replacement schedules of computers and associated electronic equipment,
printing of previously supplied state forms, and expanded auditing tasks with additional risks and
potential liability that was previously the responsibility of the State; and,
WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota now competes with deputy registrar offices for the retention of
some user fees that were traditionally retained primarily by deputy registrars; and,
WHEREAS, collectively the deputy registrar system handles over one billion dollars of state funds for
the State of Minnesota annually on a cash basis only with considerable risk whereby dishonored
checks are the responsibility of the deputy registrar in the full amount tendered after remitting the bulk
of those funds to the State; and,
WHEREAS, the user service fee that should fully support the cost for providing motor vehicle
transactions no longer covers the operational costs to maintain most deputy registrar offices. Public
deputy registrars must use property tax levy proceeds to subsidize this service. Rural areas with lower
volumes are in jeopardy of losing service.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that City of Monticello supports the State Legislature
authorizing the acceptance of more secure alternative payments at deputy registrar offices; and to
achieve a greater retention of existing fees or a user service fee increase in the year 2009 to maintain
local title and registration service to the citizens of Minnesota.
Passed and adopted by the Monticello City Council this 12th day of January, 2009.
Clint Ierbst, Mayor
ATTEST:
Jeff 0'X&tWty Administrator