(The Center Square) – More examiners are needed at the Division of Motor Vehicles in North Carolina, an audit says.

Wait times at the offices are a common complaint throughout the state. First-term Republican Auditor Dave Boliek and his staff have released preliminary findings that back up the howls of taxpayers from Murphy to Manteo.

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“With DMV staffing adjustments being considered during current budget negotiations, the professional team at the Office of the State Auditor and I feel the responsibility to provide pertinent information ahead of the full audit release,” Boliek said. “Our data-driven analysis indicates that current DMV workforce levels are insufficient to meet the needs of North Carolinians. To provide citizens the service level they expect and deserve, the DMV must have more employees in its offices.”

North Carolina’s fiscal year begins July 1, and a two-year budget is to be in place. First-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein and each chamber of the General Assembly, led by Sen. Phil Berger and Rep. Destin Hall, have each made proposals and are in the midst of negotiations.

Berger, R-Rockingham, and Hall, R-Caldwell, have said their chambers are working on an agreement to be placed in front of Stein. In the first drafts, Stein was about $2 billion more than the lawmakers.

Boliek said Joey Hopkins, secretary of the Department of Transportation, and Paul Tine, commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles, are also versed on what the auditing staff has found.

In addition to staffing, the preliminary results also indicate the need for “flexibility in current personnel rules is necessary to allow the DMV to hire and retain staff more effectively,” and “effective strategies are necessary to fill vacancies.”

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The division uses temporary examiner positions. At time of audit, 97 of 142 were vacant. These have fewer benefits and additional training costs with a high turnover rate, the audit says.

Boliek said the final audit report will have more details on staffing, and identification of driver’s license locations where additional personnel would be most beneficial.