Access II Independent Living Center was recently awarded the contract for a license office in Gallatin, and staff is currently working on getting all of the details arranged with the Department of Revenue (DOR).
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“There are very strict and tight deadlines on getting the license office up and running and we are working very closely with the DOR to make sure we are meeting all of the criteria,” noted Jessica Adkins, marketing and development director at Access II. “As one thing gets approved, we move on to the next — we have to take it one step at a time.”
Access II has submitted information to the DOR, but nothing at this time has been approved as far as building location, hours, etc.
“The timeframe we have been given is to have everything up and running by April 11, but no opening date has been officially set,” Ms. Adkins stated.
New technology will have to be acquired as far as security systems and a separate network for the license office.
Access II is currently seeking a license office manager to work in the office. In keeping with its mission to provide services that sustain greater independence for persons with disabilities, the center would like to hire a qualified person with a disability to fill the new position if possible.
“Access II is always looking for ways to benefit people with disabilities in our community, and by acquiring the license office we are furthering our mission,” Ms. Adkins said.
For many seniors and people with disabilities, it can be hard to travel to another community, and having an office in Gallatin would be a more convenient option.
Ms. Adkins said it is important to note that this license office is not expected to generate any surplus revenue. The overall goal of acquiring the license office is to provide a convenient option for everyone in the community — not to generate funding. According to data from the previous Gallatin license office, it is expected to only generate enough income to cover the salary of the license office manager position.
Access II is expecting to incur the startup costs including new technology and security systems as well as the cost of employee benefits, in an effort to provide this service to the community.
If the license office breaks even, runs a negative, or generates surplus revenue it will depend directly on how many transactions take place each year. Access II is a non-profit company so if it were to generate any excess revenue, it would directly funnel back into the programs and services currently provided to people with disabilities in the community.
Those services include in-home and consumer directed services, employment services, transportation, durable medical equipment, independent living skills training, transition services, and much more.
Although Access II is still seeking ways to restore funding from the state cuts last legislative season, the license office will not be a way to generate excess funding to restore services that were cut or limited.
Access II was the only bidder for the license office.