Golden Valley DMV Still Closed, City Won't Give Details

The doors Golden Valley's will remain closed indefinitely, and so far the city is staying quiet about why.

In a statement released on its website, the city says it "takes the public trust and public service very seriously," and goes on to say the city took action after "issues" were discovered.

The DMV announcement first read "Closed Until April 18."  Then that date was extended by a week.  But when the sign outside the DMV in city hall said the department was closed indefinitely, people started asking questions.

City manager Tom Burt says around the first of April, the city asked the Department of Public Safety to close the DMV in order for an audit to be conducted. 

“It’s something we wanted to happen,” says Burt. “Initial findings tell us we need to change some policies and make corrections to way we are operating now.”

Burt would not explain what policies needed correcting or why the audit was necessary in the first place. 

Earlier this week, Mayor Linda Loomis told Patch that the city is not intentionally hiding details.

"It's an ongoing investigation, and we simply can't say anything right now," Loomis said.  "All I can say is that irregularities were found.  I'd like to say more, but I can't."

The city gave the explanation of why the DMV is still closed on its website, but no further details are explained there, either.  The statement reads, in part:

"The Golden Valley Motor Vehicle Licensing Department was closed by the City of Golden Valley April 1, 2011, in response to the discovery of problems with accounting and procedures.

The City has hired an independent auditor to review all policies, procedures, and internal controls.  The auditor has offered preliminary recommendations to change procedures in a way that will assure effective operations of the department.  The City has already taken action to begin implementing the preliminary recommendations. 

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Driver and Vehicle Services Division will give the City of Golden Valley permission to reopen the office when new procedures and best management practices are fully implemented.  That date is unknown at this time."

that they have been happy with Golden Valley's DMV and its employees. 

The office processes over 55 thousand applications each year.  There are over 170 motor vehicle licensing departments in Minnesota and one probably not too far a drive from you.