Editorial: Long lines aren’t the sole issue

Thursday, Oct. 14, 1999 | 9:22 a.m.

Motorists seeking to register their vehicles may have noticed this week that the waiting time at some Department of Motor Vehicles offices isn't as bad as it was in previous weeks. That may be just an illusion, however, as DMV officials believe that many Nevadans may have misunderstood Gov. Kenny Guinn's pledge to give motorists a 30-day grace period in the wake of delays created by glitches in a new computer system. The exemption applies only to those who already have submitted their registration renewals and are waiting for their vehicle tags. Instead, the DMV believes, some people may not be coming into the offices at all in the mistaken belief that they don't have to get their paperwork started.

Still, DMV officials say that progress is being made in eliminating the bugs that have plagued the computers, which have resulted in some customers waiting all day for service. Despite the DMV's assurances that there have been improvements, there is a legitimate concern that not all of the major problems will be found when the state's contract ends Dec. 3 with the private company, Deloitte and Touche, which developed the new computer system. Not only is this a worry for frustrated motorists, if it happens it also could sting taxpayers.

Assemblyman Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, a computer consultant who also is chairman of a legislative committee with oversight of the $35 million project, says that the Legislature's staff has informed him that while the service contract with Deloitte and Touche runs through Dec. 3, the company may only be responsible to fix those bugs documented by Nov. 7. Beers doesn't believe all the major bugs will be found within one month, which could mean that state taxpayers would pick up the tab for future repairs by Deloitte and Touche.

No one disputes that Deloitte and Touche and DMV employees are trying to do the best they can under difficult circumstances. But Deloitte and Touche should continue to provide free service and advice to the DMV until the program is successfully running -- even after the Dec. 3 deadline. So far the computer system, Genesis, has been a disaster. It isn't unreasonable for Nevadans to expect that they won't be stuck paying more for a product that should have been delivered virtually bug-free when it was brought online Sept. 7.