Benton County changes driver’s license services

VINTON — Benton County will have a new system for driver’s licenses and exams.

Melinda Schoettmer, Benton County treasurer, updated Benton County Supervisors Sept. 9 on a driver’s license and scheduling program with the new Iowa Department of Transportation operating system.

The county currently operates on a 20-year-old ARTS system for driver’s licenses and motor vehicles. It’s going to use MBD 360.

Come January, the state will allow county stations to be on the state’s scheduling system. This affects the driver’s license station, which citizens can access from the state’s website. They can schedule written tests and driver’s exams and physical appointments.

The office issued 6,600 licenses last year and collected $19,250 in out-of-county fees. Schoettmer said the county doesn’t make money on this. This is a service the county provides for people.

The state has gone to parent-taught driver’s education, said Schoettmer, which is a great program for people who can’t afford driver’s education. Parent-taught driver’s education has increased over the past four years.

In other business, supervisors conducted a land use hearing for Ryan and Jennifer Rozek for land in Section 16 of Benton Township six miles east of Vinton and three miles south of Urbana.

The Rozeks want to turn an existing garage into an accessory dwelling unit. They built a home on the property in 2023. Supervisors approved the request.

The board went into closed session pursuant to section 21.5(1)(C.) to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent and its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation.