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Today: September 22, 1999 at 9:19:43 PDT

Lawmakers told DMV moved too quickly on new computer

By Brendan Riley ASSOCIATED PRESS

CARSON CITY - A state agency moved too quickly with a problem-plagued computer upgrade that's supposed to speed up vehicle registrations and renewals, Nevada lawmakers were told Tuesday.

And even after "Project Genesis" bugs are worked out by the Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety, some paperwork processing times will still lag behind what it took before Genesis came online Sept. 7.

"I never experienced such a disaster as this," Sen. Lawrence Jacobsen, R-Minden, said during an Interim Finance Committee meeting. "This has gone on and on. It's sick in my book."

Jacobsen said his wife tried to get a registration renewal on a small trailer on Monday, "and she spent all day with no results." He added many constituents have complained to him and "I don't have any answers."

Assemblyman Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, who chaired an IFC subcommittee that reviewed the Genesis startup, said that in retrospect "this was probably implemented a bit too early."

"Maybe there was not enough testing," added Beers. "But at this point, all we can do is lay blame on the one hand and cheerlead on the other ... and hope they can kill bugs before they arrive."

Beers also said his subcommittee has just learned that some DMV processing times for vehicle paperwork "will probably never reach the pre-Genesis levels."

That prompted Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, to ask, "What's the value of the system, then?"

Beers replied that the system - which he termed the largest conversion of computer software in state history - eventually will result in more information and automated services and better customer access.

Beers says his subcommittee will hold an Oct. 5 meeting to get more comment.

Acting DMV chief John Drew said that what had been a 5-to-7-day turnaround on mail-in vehicle registration renewals before Genesis has turned into a three-week process - and that will continue for "a few weeks."

But Drew and other DMV officials also said Monday that without a big push now the project will continue to have startup problems, consumer complaints won't diminish and employee morale will suffer.

The DMV officials also said temporary renewal papers are being given to people who can't get new tags for their vehicle, so they shouldn't get tickets if stopped by police.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/lv-gov/1999/sep/22/509333850.html

-- Homer Beanfang (Bats@inbellfry.com), September 22, 1999

Answers

Startup problems,HA,HA,I live in vegas,monday i went to the dmv to get my title changed to nevada,their doing lotto,did not get to talk to anyone until late tuesday (THATS TWO DAYS)staying opan until 11pm.In her words (we are not giving titles the system is down we will not do new titles for months)I said months!At least 4 she replied.Several of the people I work with and neighbors have told me that everyone who takes the road driving test does not pass the test.People are mad,on avarage people always spent hours at the dmv,but now your looking at days,and thay are only doing licenses.

-- G Bailey (GBa6872290@aol.com), September 22, 1999.