Fort Madison, IA – The service at Lee County's 2 driver's license divisions does not seem to have been impacted by fewer hours of operation. In the past, residents could get a driver's license in both Keokuk and Fort Madison 5 days a week. Now, the Fort Madison facility is only open Mondays and Wednesdays and the Keokuk station is only open Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is no service on Fridays. Treasurer Mary Hoenig says this has not had a major impact on the number of licenses issued. The true impact of the move will be seen at budget time. Hoenig says the drivers license facilities have generated enough revenue, in the past, to break even. She says the hours were reduced because of staffing levels. One employee is on medical leave while another transfered to fill an opening in the recorder's office.
Meanwhile, the Lee County Board of Supervisors continues to look for a replacement for Hoenig, who is retiring at the end of the year. She is leaving office will one year left in her term. There are still four candidates vying for the post, after one recently withdrew their application. The board is meeting with each candidate in pairs, so as to avoid holding a public meeting. The supervisors say they will not discuss the issue as a whole board until the first meeting in January, when the supervisors can name Hoenig's replacement.