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Monday, December 01, 2008

Ind. Gov't. - Indianapolis Star editorial praises state BMV

An editorial today in the Indianapolis Star begins:

This week brought the revelation of good news regarding the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The agency both received and gave.

In down-to-earth business that matters most to the motoring public, the BMV was lauded by the State Board of Accounts for "extraordinary improvement" in its operations, which were the stuff of sick jokes a mere two years ago.

In the more ethereal, and headline-making, realm, BMV Commissioner Ron Stiver announced he is dropping a new policy that banned mention of the deity on personalized license plates.

Both current BMV head Ron Stivers and former head Joel Silverman come in for praise:
Crowning two years of top-to-bottom effort led by Stivers and his predecessor, Joel Silverman, the board of accounts closed its report with two minor "corrective action recommendations," compared to 33 just 18 months ago. The independent auditor cited long-overdue accomplishments such as "installation of a comprehensive accounting system" and "implementation of sound internal controls that strengthen financial oversight." Those dry phrases translate into taxpayer savings and customer satisfaction.

Ironically, a computer network upgrade, whose disastrous startup figured in Silverman's departure, has been a key to the turnaround. But so have simpler measures, from better labor-management communication to incentive bonuses to spiffed-up decor and lighting in the branches. Waiting time has been slashed, thanks to harder work by staff and the shift of a million customers a year to the Web, auto dealer outreach and other options.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on December 1, 2008 07:52 AM
Posted to Indiana Government