Jan. 31 set for closing of 2 county title offices

1/21/2009

Lucas County Clerk of Courts Bernie Quilter yesterday announced Jan. 31 as his date for closing two vehicle title offices.

Those offices, at 4456 Heatherdowns Blvd. and 3034 Navarre Ave., are being closed because of budget cuts.

They are among four the county has operated for years for automobile and watercraft title work.

Mr. Quilter announced a consolidation of those offices in December as part of a cost-cutting move that is to include at least eight layoffs. The cuts are in response to the county administration s call for a 5 percent reduction from all departments, which also has caused cuts in other offices.

The downtown branch at 1600 Madison Ave. and the Sylvania-area branch at 4900 North McCord Rd. will remain open.

Revenue for the four title offices is down because of lagging auto sales. The offices are funded with money generated by the state s $5 title fees.