Press Release

9/24/09

Residents Reminded to Renew Registrations and Licenses with Erie County Auto Bureau

Otherwise, County Loses $1.5 Million To Albany

Two years into our "Just Mail It, Just Drop It" campaign, I am pleased to report thousands of Erie County residents have heard our message and are doing their part to help keep much-needed dollars in Erie County. As I strive to get the word out, our customers are often shocked to hear that if they use the pink envelope that comes with their vehicle registration renewal and/or renew online on the NYS DMV website, the County gets ZERO of the collected fees. This is despite the fact that County taxpayers pay for the running of the Auto Bureaus.

Few things get me as riled up as seeing the State DMV's message to "skip the trip to the DMV" on every mailing or literature they produce. Taxpayers should know that by "skipping the trip" or not mailing the renewals directly to the County, they are hurting themselves as County taxpayers.

For that reason, the Clerk's office launched a major counter-offensive two years ago to get the $1.5 million we lose annually to Albany back in the County coffers—to help all of us as taxpayers. But we can't do it alone. Every taxpayer in our County can do their part to help.

We offer a number of options to make it more convenient for customers to renew: in person, using a green drop box, or by requesting one of our "green" alternatives to the pink envelope.

Here are your options: Customers can go the Erie County Clerk's Office website (www.erie.gov/clerk) and click the "JUST MAIL IT" tab. Due to NYS DMV restrictions, customers cannot actually renew online on our site. However, anyone who wants to help keep a share of the money in Erie County, can simply fill in their name, address and e-mail address, we will mail them a self-addressed green envelope with postage paid to send the renewal form and check back directly to us. Participants are invited to fill out the Clerk's web-poll online indicating their priorities in spending the new-found money, if enough people take the step to renew through the County.

Motorists also have the option of dropping the renewal and check in a green envelope provided at one of the green "Just Drop It" Mailboxes in the lobby of Old County Hall, in the basement of Buffalo City Hall, or at one of the 7 Auto Bureau locations or 3 mobile sites. Either way, Erie County Auto Bureau staff will process the renewal in 3-4 days.

Customers who would like their registrations back immediately can renew in person and have their work done in an express line, saving a longer wait. We recommend checking our new Twitter box on our website for up-to-date conditions at the Auto Bureaus.

If you would like to help, we can send a blast email to your co-workers or get you our green envelopes to share with businesses, social groups, religious organizations, schools and anyone who can help spread the word. For more information, please contact Tom Garlick at 858-7754.

The power of one individual multiplied by the actions of thousands can make a difference. By joining us in the "Just Mail It, Just Drop It" initiative, you can be proud to know you are contributing directly to keeping taxes down for yourself and fellow residents. And that's a good thing.