BUTTE – The state office that handles car titles and registration is moving from Deer Lodge to Helena later this year.
The Montana Standard reports the Title and Registration Bureau’s move in November will affect 35 employees, who mostly reside in Deer Lodge, Anaconda and Butte. Montana Department of Justice spokesman John Barnes says the employees will have to make the hourlong commute to Helena if they want to keep their jobs.
Barnes says the current building provides more space than employees need, putting it out of compliance with state law.
He says the state pays $180,000 a year for the building, and that figure would nearly double and come with a 10-year lease if they stayed.
A note sent to employees says the move will save Montana $216,000 each year.