WALLACE — Shoshone County commissioners are exploring a plan to relocate the driver’s license department from the public safety building to the courthouse, citing security concerns after a recent shooting and potential benefits of centralizing services. 

During a meeting last week with Shoshone County Sheriff William Eddy, Commissioner Jeff Zimmerman said driver’s license departments in Idaho fall under the sheriff’s office. However, the driver's license department could operate as a hybrid if managed by the county assessor. 

Zimmerman believes moving the department under the assessor’s office would benefit residents by centralizing services with the Department of Motor Vehicles, which is already managed by the assessor inside the courthouse. He also said cross-training the assessor’s staff could provide additional support for both offices. 

While commissioners and the sheriff favor the idea, Shoshone County Assessor Jerry White does not share their enthusiasm. White said he has only been briefly approached about the idea and does not believe the plan aligns with the Idaho Code. He also raised concerns about cross-training, employee pay structure and added supervision responsibilities. 

“Sheriff Eddy approached me about this last week for about 45 seconds,” White said. “I know it would be a better product for the taxpayer, but the pay discrepancy is what concerns me the most.” 

White, who has served as assessor for 23 years, said the current driver's license department clerk earns more than his employees. If his staff were expected to take on additional tasks, he would require higher compensation for them. He also said both his and the sheriff’s salaries would need adjustments if the department came under his control. 

The driver's license department currently handles driver’s licenses, written tests, the county’s sex offender registry, and fingerprinting services. 

Commissioner Melissa Cowles said she began considering security changes after the Dec. 26 shooting that started outside the sheriff’s office and ended inside the public safety building. 

“My thought too, when I brainstormed after the shooting, of getting a driver’s license out of there was that you guys would have a better security system,” Cowles said. 

Her idea is to eliminate public foot traffic in and out of the building and give the sheriff’s office total control over who enters. 

Eddy agreed, noting that visitation has resumed with restrictions: only two people are allowed inside at a time, while others wait outside. 

“What we’re trying to do with this meeting is to secure the sheriff’s building,” Zimmerman said. “And in order to do that, we have to do something with driver’s licensing.” 

All three commissioners acknowledged that finding space inside the already crowded courthouse for the department will be challenging. 

“We want to expedite this as much as we can, but it sounds like it’s going to be a little bit,” Zimmerman said. 

Zimmerman suggested holding another meeting with White present to determine the next steps.