(WICHITA, Kan.) — The problem may be fixed, but Kansans want answers after a computer failure at tag offices around the state.
Viewers contacted FactFinder 12 to ask if the state will get some money back on the $40 million project.
“I want answer. I want answers,” says Anjela Greer who waited in line for her tags.
Problems arose shortly after the new system for vehicle title and registrations went online earlier this month.
Some waited in lines for more than five hours.
“I thank residents of Sedgwick County for their patience. I understand their frustrations, I really do,” says Sedgwick County Treasurer Linda Kizzire.
Kizzire says other than a few slowdowns things seem to be working now. She is in constant contact with the Kansas Department of Revenue. The state is in contact with 3M, the company hired to develop software for the $40 million project.
FactFinder 12 requested a copy of the contract between the state and 3M.
There are performance guarantees in the contract.
The contract says for if 3M fails to meet “critical milestones” it has to pay the state $5,000 a day.
It also says if 3M fails to “go live” with the first phase of the project, it has to pay the state $75,000 per day.
So will the state ask for money back?
FactFinder 12 asked the Department of Revenue that question.
Should Kansas get refund for tag office computer issues?
In a written response it said: “The department continues to evaluate the system closely while keeping all contractual options open for the future. Many issues associated with a system implementation of this scope and sizes have been resolved quickly, and counties have been working very hard to catch up work associated with being closed the first week of May for the conversion of 6.8 million vehicle records.”
3M also responded to FactFinder 12.
A spokesperson says told the use the system is working well and exceeding expectations. It also says there have isolated issues and it’s working with the state.
State Representative Jim Howell, who serves on the government efficiency committee, says people have contacted his office with complaints.
“Tag offices and DMV’s are the face of government. What’s happening right now is not good enough,” Powell says.
He says even if it’s determined that Kansas deserves money back, it would not make up for all of the lost productivity as Kansans waited hours in line.
