(Spirit Lake)– The Dickinson county board of supervisors Tuesday voted four-to-one to approve the purchase of a camera by the Treasurer’s Office to be used for passport photos.
The supervisors took the action after hearing from several local photographers who already offer passport photo services. They say the county’s action will adversely affect their businesses, adding government shouldn’t compete with private enterprise.
County Treasurer Kris Rowley says she decided to offer the service after getting numerous requests from the public. She says it’s an added convenience for the public, as they’ll be able to not only get the needed paperwork filled out, but they’ll also be able to get passport photos taken…all in one stop.
Supervisor Chairman David Gottsche cast the lone no vote, saying under Iowa Code it should be up to the Recorder to offer that service. As a result, he wanted to wait a week to see if the Recorder would want to help pay for the camera out of her budget.
Rowley says she contacted Recorder Jan Bortscheller who indicated she wasn’t interested in offering the service.
