Kiosks to speed up tag renewal for Morgan County residents
For the Enquirer
Five towns in Morgan County may soon be getting tag renewal kiosks that could cut the time it takes to renew a tag to about 30 seconds, an official said. Morgan County License Commissioner Kate Terry came before the Priceville council last week to see if council members wanted the office to install one of the kiosks at City Hall on Marco Drive. Other towns that would receive the kiosks, if city officials agree, include Eva, Falkville and Trinity. A fifth kiosk may go to the West Park gymnasium in Danville. There is already a kiosk at the Morgan County Courthouse in Decatur. The kiosks are for anyone who wants to renew a tag except those with motor homes or boats, Terry said. The kiosks allow the public to renew their tags quickly – assuming they have no changes – without having to drive to Decatur or a satellite office to wait in line and have a clerk do it for them. The machines take debit or credit cards but not cash or checks. For the latter, you have to go to the tag office and wait your turn. She said it takes about 30 seconds to read the prompts and renew your tag as long as you use the bar code on the renewal letter so the kiosk can scan it. You swipe your card and pay, then you get your renewal decal. “It’s faster than when you come to see a clerk,” Terry said. Terry said she decided to seek the kiosks after asking herself how she could bring tag renewals closer to people. “That’s why we are not putting kiosks in Hartselle or Somerville, because we have satellite offices near-by,” Terry said. “People in these places (the ones getting kiosks) have a bit of a drive.” The success of the existing kiosk at the courthouse prompted Terry to ask the Morgan County Commission last week to spend up to $80,000 for five new tag-renewal kiosks. The existing kiosk in Decatur has been busy. Since it became operational Feb. 14, some 1,211 people have used it to renew their tags for a total of $129,767 in revenue, Terry said. “We had roughly 136,812 renewals in 2023, that includes all ways to renew – through the mail, online or at our Decatur, Hartselle and east offices,” Terry said. “It probably doesn’t seem as popular compared to that number, but it’s all about getting the information out there that this machine is available. I hope with closer locations to citizens, and awareness, that number will grow higher every year.” Each kiosk costs roughly $15,000. “This is a one-time expense; there is not monthly or yearly maintenance,” she said. “The state provides the paper and there may be the occasional printer cartridge. That’s it. “I told the County Commission chairman a year ago as I had funds I want to buy kiosks.” Morgan County Commission Chairman Ray Long said the kiosks are convenient for residents and help with staffing.
“That’ll help our residents there in Eva. They either have to drive to Hartselle or they have to come down to Somerville or Cotaco or come (to Decatur). The same thing with Falkville. I just think it’d be something that our residents will appreciate,” Long said. “Those machines should alleviate the need for (Terry) needing any extra help for a long time.” The Priceville council and mayor were amenable to the addition of the City Hall kiosk, which would be added at no cost to the city. None of the towns would pay for a kiosk, which would be covered in the license commissioner’s office budget, Terry said.
“I’m definitely for it,” Priceville Mayor Sam Hef-lin said. “I think it will be beneficial for our citizens. It will keep us from having to go to Decatur to renew tags, and by renewing right here in Priceville, we shorten the line in Decatur.” Terry said she had spoken to city officials in Eva and they are ready to move forward with the project. In Trinity and Falkville, she spoke with the mayors, and they agreed to do it, she said. The West Park gym is a county-owned building, so she did not have to ask for permission to put one there, she said.
“That (the West Park gym) could be a good location for a typical after-hours spot because games are going on there until 8 p.m. most nights,” she said.
She said they cannot put the kiosks just anywhere; they need to make sure there is staff available nearby in case a person has an issue.
“It needs a government employee there,” she said.
She said she will put the Priceville machine in the front lobby of City Hall where it is easily visible.
“Vehicle registrations have increased in Morgan County over the last several years and also Priceville has grown substantially,” she told the council.
The kiosks are not intended to replace employees, Terry said.
“We need the staff to remain because there are so many increased registrations in the county. We need all the staff available to handle that influx and to make the lines shorter.”
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