MAYVILLE – If the cost of getting a new Driver’s license in New York State increases in the coming years, you can thank the NY Department of Motor Vehicles choosing a new company to make the licenses – at a cost nearly $38 million higher than the current contract.
The Associated Press first reported the story Wednesday, saying at least two local officials were calling for a do-over after the state DMV made a tentative decision to award the driver’s license production contract to the highest bidder – a company offering licenses with black-and-white photos at a much higher cost than the current contract.
According to court papers reviewed by The Associated Press, the losing vendors, including the company that has produced New York licenses with color photos for 16 years, are protesting the $88.5 million award to Ottawa-based CBN Secure Technology Inc., and the state Comptroller’s Office has started a review of the award.
Meanwhile, news of the high bid has prompted Chautauqua County Clerk Sandy Sopak to initiate a petition drive throughout the county. In a media release, Sopak said that as soon as the news broke Chautauqua County residents expressed their outrage at what appears to be an exorbitant waste of taxpayer money
To give Chautauqua County residents a voice, the County Clerk’s office is making petitions available throughout the county at each of the three DMV offices as well as the Office of the County Clerk. Anyone unable to visit a local office may have their name added by sending an email to Deputy County Clerk Tracie Kaminski Haskin at: haskint@co.chautauqua.ny.us.
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