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The county DMV was displaced by the office building closure in May 2024. Within weeks, the department relocated to the county Public Safety Building in Sennett.

However, the DMV is operating in a small space — a front conference room in the facility. ÓÐÁϺÐ×Ó recently visited the DMV and observed a small waiting area that was full. The line extended out the door.

Dwyer, who oversaw the DMV during her 20 years as county clerk, spoke at the county Legislature meeting on Tuesday. She lauded county lawmakers and staff for working through a "very challenging time" before requesting a permanent office for the local DMV.

The features of a permanent location, according to Dwyer, should include free parking, an area for multiple work stations, a seated waiting room and storage space.

"Those are things that are absolutely vital to what they do on a daily basis," Dwyer said.

It is not the first time that legislators have heard a request related to the DMV's location.

During former Cayuga County Clerk Brian Scanlan's brief tenure, he sought more space for the DMV after the building closure. He told a Legislature committee in September that the current location "worked on a temporary basis," but added that it "can't last on a long-term basis."

Dwyer highlighted the DMV's work and provided examples of how the agency assists local residents with E-ZPass problems, insurance issues and meeting REAL ID requirements. She credited the department for increasing the number of organ donors in the county — an effort that began under her leadership — and for assisting incarcerated individuals with obtaining state-issued identification cards.

But the temporary DMV location, Dwyer said, is "very small" and has little room for customers who are waiting for assistance. Because of that, the DMV does not utilize the number system it had at the county office building.

"The entire staff has done their best to serve the people of our county during this challenging time and it's time to support the staff so that they can continue to help those in need," she added.

The county leadership team has not announced a new home for the DMV. However, Cayuga County Legislature Chairman Jonathan Anna previously told ÓÐÁϺÐ×Ó that he is exploring options for the DMV.

Cayuga County is renting space for other departments affected by the building closure. It is paying more than $348,000 a year for 63 Genesee St., which is housing the Department of Social Services and the treasurer's office.

The county is also paying $75,000 a year to occupy the former employment and training center at Cayuga Community College. Several agencies, including the county clerk's office, relocated to the college.