A new joint project between the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and the Kansas Department of Motor Vehicles to increase the number of folks getting park permits is in place. All that remains is to teach county treasurers across the state how to use the computer software.
To this end, the Barton County Treasurer’s Office will be closed from 2-3 p.m. today so a trainer from the KDMV in Topeka can instruct the staff.
“This is a new feature in the software we started using last spring,” County Treasurer Kevin Wondra said. Last May, the state installed a new software system to replace a 30-plus-year-old mainframe system used for driver licensing, motor vehicle titling and registration, and inventory management.
However, the state agencies got their heads together to come up with a way to encourage motorists to utilize state parks and make it easier to get permit. So, in November, an addition was made to the program.
Wondra said this will allow his office personnel to merely “click a box” when someone comes in to renew their tags. The box indicates the person wants a park permit.
Then, the BCTO can print out the park sticker and give it to the driver at the same time they get their tag sticker. Both are good for a full year, and will expire and can be renewed at the same time.
It is also cheaper, Wondra said. To get a park permit at the County Clerk’s Office or from a KDWPT office, it will cost $25. Through the BCTO, it costs $15.50.
The permits not purchased through the Treasurer’s Office are only good for a calendar year, January through December.
At least for now, the BCTO can’t handle the special permits for senior citizens or for those who are disabled. It also can’t sell boat or fishing permits.
According to Wondra, the state was looking at declining funding. By making it more convenient to get park permits, officials thought they could increase revenue.
For more information, call the BTCO at 620-793-1831.