By JOHN BINDER
Slidell news bureau
SLIDELL – A plan which would have Slidell drivers paying more at the Slidell Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) was deferred by the Slidell City Council, as city officials are unsure if the plan would be positive for the area.
In order to levy funds for the Slidell DMV, the City Council has been eyeing a plan to tack on a $4 transaction fee to all purchases made at the DMV in order to reportedly keep the facility open.
City officials have said the state has threatened to close the Slidell DMV, therefore a fee on all transactions would be necessary to keep the facility open.
However, citizens such as Fred Mcdonald say the state has never threatened to close the Slidell DMV, saying just last year a state DMV official told the City Council that there were no plans to close the office.
Councilman Bill Borchert of District G said the City Council is in a “lose-lose situation” saying if the $4 fee is put into effect, the council will be blamed, but if the council votes the fee down and the Slidell DMV closes, the council still takes the blame for not acting.
“There is no right answer,” said Borchert. “That’s why I hate this type of legislature.”
Councilman Sam Abney of District B said the City Council should not make a decision based on speculation that the Slidell DMV could potentially close.
“Right now, the facts say that (the state) will not close (the DMV,)” said Abney. “There is no point to adding an additional fee to the people.”
Councilman Val Vanney of District D said he called the state DMV office and was told that the state had no intentions of closing the Slidell DMV, agreeing with Abney that he would be opposed to an additional fee.
Ultimately, Councilman Sam Caruso of District E said the City Council should postpone the plan in order to further research if the state has any intentions of closing the Slidell DMV.
Vanney, Borchert and Councilman Jay Newcomb of District F voted against postponing the issue, while Caruso, Abney, Councilwoman-at-large Kim Harbison, Councilman Glynn Pichon of District A and Councilman Warren Crockett of District C voted to postpone.
Originally, the proposal planned on levying $3 on every transaction, but the City Council voted to increase the fee another dollar. By state law, the city can charge up to $4.50 on every transaction.