DMV: Budget problem solved

In a letter to the editor (DMV: Wait can lead one to drink, June 15, 2011) I complained about the long wait at the Drivers License Bureau. Then Sheriff Ben Wolfinger's answer was to arrive around 7 a.m. on weekdays and wait for the door to open at 7:30. It seemed to me at the time that if everyone took his advice, the queue would just form earlier and be longer.

Well maybe after six years, the county commissioners finally figured that one out. According to the July 12 paper, they are going to reopen the Post Falls office. However, they seem to have neglected budgeting enough money to adequately staff the new office.

In the next day's paper, we are informed that at least one county commissioner wants to hire a new Research and Financial Analyst to the tune of $79,499 a year. Wow, for that kind of money, solving the above dilemma should be a piece of cake.

Even so, this old country boy just couldn't leave that bone alone. I got out my hi-tech device and Googled “Drivers License Examiner, Idaho.” An outfit called Salary Expert popped up. According to them, an entry-level examiner's salary in our state is $33,510.

OK, so it doesn't take a financial genius to figure this one out. Hire two more examiners for $67,020. Forget the $79,499 analyst. The county saves $12,479 and we the citizens don't have to waste half a day transacting business with the DMV.

BOB LaRUE

Hauser