Clark County Clerk of Courts Ron Vincent and Clark County Commissioner David Hartley fought along with other area leaders to keep the agency open.
Both said they were pleased with the state’s decision.
“I’m very happy about that because it’s extremely important to New Carlisle and Bethel Twp.,” Hartley said. “With that office opened, they’re able to have a title department there also. We save people a lot of time from going to Springfield or some place else.”
Last April, Ohio Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Lindsey Bohrer said the New Carlisle office was one of three or four BMV’s the state considered for closing.
The New Carlisle office’s transactions were lower than expected, at 37,726 in 2010, and state leaders estimated the state could save $100,000 if the office closed.
In July, state officials said they would reconsider plans to close the New Carlisle BMV if the office could increase its annual transactions to 40,000.
Officials launched a campaign — supported by New Carlisle Council, Bethel Twp., Clark County Commissioners and Tecumseh Schools — to increase business. However, they still fell short of the goal, ending 2011 with just 37,594 transactions.
Vincent and New Carlisle leaders say they don’t know what led state officials to change their minds, but some think community support may have played a role.
“Maybe our argument made them go back and look at what they were doing and they realized they couldn’t justify the savings,” Vincent said.
Vincent and City Manager Kim Jones said the BMV is used by residents in Clark, Champaign, Montgomery, Miami and Greene counties who in turn support local businesses.
“It’s like an anchor in the city,” Jones said. “People come from all over because the lines are shorter and they can get in and out instead of having to go to Springfield or Fairborn. They come here and they eat lunch at Studebakers Country Restaurant, go to the gas stations.”
Seth Harrison, 35, of Springfield, who grew up in New Carlisle, said he is glad the office will remain open. He continues to drive to the New Carlisle BMV because he knows the employees and likes the shorter lines.
“I’ve been coming here ever since it’s been open,” Harrison said. “It would have been aggravating (if it closed). Everything is so consolidated here. They have the title office and you can get your tags all in one place instead of going to different places. It’s fast, easy and friendly.”
New Carlisle BMV transactions
Year Transactions
2011 37,594
2010 37,726
2009 36,053
2008 34,646
2007 37,337
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