Residents of south Lee County now have a much shorter drive to make to renew their driver's licenses. County Treasurer Chris Spann has reopened the driver's license bureau in the South Lee County Courthouse in Keokuk.
The bureau currently has one license issuing machine, with the opportunity to add an additional machine in the future. The hours of operation will be 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. Licenses will be issued in Fort Madison on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Spann said this has been a long time coming for the county, as she campaigned on reopening the bureau last fall. She said there could be some hiccups along the way during the first few weeks.
"I just hope (residents) are patient with us as we get this up and going," said Spann. "Because it can be a little hectic the first few times until everything works right. Other than that, that's all I have to say, just excited that it's finally here."
Spann said eventually, the bureau will offer driver's tests and motorcycle exams. She said adding additional services could be a possibility in the future, but right now with a staff of two, the focus is driver's licenses.
South Lee County residents have had to drive to Fort Madison or to a neighboring county to get their driver's licenses over the last four years, after the county reorganized four departments, shutting down the bureau as a result.
