A change in a state computer system has meant delays in processing vehicle titles continue even though it’s been more than a year since the change, according to county tax collectors.
Because titles are required as part of the registrations process, there have been reports that Mississippians have had to wait months to get their vehicle license plates.
“I don’t know what the problem is, but it’s been going on ever since they changed computers, which was back in October 2017,” said Lowndes County Tax Collector Greg Andrews. “We’ve probably had about 100 cases where there have been longer than usual delays.”
Titles are processed through the Mississippi Department of Revenue. While MDOR associate commissioner confirmed to The Associated Press that there was “a big learning curve” when the new computers were installed, there are no current reports of unusual backlogs in processing vehicle titles.
Tax collectors disagree, however.
Alcorn County tax collector Larry Ross said he is nearly halfway through backlog of 400 titles. Most are title transfers from Tennessee that are being flagged in Mississippi’s new system.
“We’re having to go and find each individual title,” Ross said. “It’s tedious, but we’re getting there.”
Lee County Tax Collector Leroy Belk said there are lingering issues with processing car titles and registrations.
“Tax collectors throughout Mississippi are not happy, and it’s not because we haven’t tried to be a team player,” Belk told Lee County supervisors early this month.
Andrews said that the delays he has seen most often involved private party sales.
“The thing is, when we call (DOR) about the title, they have it out to us the next day,” Andrews said. “It’s almost like they have the titles laying around somewhere and when you call, they get it for you.”
Andrews said anyone who has had trouble getting a car title can call his office at 329-5700
The Associated Press Contributed to this report.
Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
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