For Immediate Release
Date: June 15, 2005
Contact: Maura Browning
Phone: (573) 751-8222

St. Joseph Branch Office to Close Wednesday; Will Reopen as Contract Office

        JEFFERSON CITY – As a result of voter approval of Amendment 3 last fall, the Missouri Department of Revenue is coping with a loss of highway funds by gearing up to transform Missouri’s five remaining state-run branch offices into contract agent-run offices.  The St. Joseph license office will close at the end of business Wednesday, June 15, as a branch office and reopen Monday, June 20, as a contract office. Matt Gerstner will be the contract agent.

        At this time, offices in Columbia, Deer Creek (St. Louis), Joplin, Springfield, Independence, and Raytown have transitioned successfully.  The department has transitioned six branch offices, averaging less than one lost day of service per office.

        “Customer service is our first priority,” said Director Trish Vincent.  “I am excited to continue moving forward with this transition with contract agents who share my commitment to great customer service.  This gives us an opportunity to change for the better, offer expanded service hours, and at the same time, save taxpayer dollars.”

        The new office will be located in the East Hills Shopping Center at 3702 Frederick, Unit 17.  The office phone number will be (816) 232-1211.  Office hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. during the first and last Saturday of the month.

        Customers are encouraged to use the department’s online license plate renewal system, called MORE (Missouri Online Registration Exchange) if the customer resides within one of 50 counties that can transmit property tax information to the department.  By using the Personal Identification Number (PIN) included with the renewal notice, a customer can do all that’s required to renew their license plates online at www.plates.mo.gov.