Photo by Todd Weddle / St. Joseph News-Press / Purchase this photo

Patrons file out of the recently opened License Office, 2319 N. Belt Highway, Friday in St. Joseph. The office is open for business Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Missouri has awarded contracts to operate motor vehicle license offices in three Northwest Missouri communities.

Gov. Jay Nixon announced that 94 of the state’s 183 offices have been awarded contracts under a new system that was designed to be more transparent and avoid political patronage.

Contracts were recently awarded for offices in Kingston, Mound City and Rock Port.

Lisa M. Prater of Hamilton will continue to be the agent of the Kingston License Office. Ms. Prater was the only person to submit a bid, and she has been the office agent since 2005. The office will remain at 49 E. Main St.

Joseph Laukemper of Mound City will remain as the agent of the Mound City License Office. Mr. Laukemper submitted the only bid for the office, which he has run since 2005.

The Rock Port License Office has been awarded to Midwest Data Center of Rock Port, which submitted the only bid. The corporation, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Rock Port Telephone Co., is associated with the incumbent agent, Raymond Henagan. Mr. Henagan was appointed as the agent in 2008. The office will remain at 214 S. Main St.

Previously, the state awarded a contract to James Montee, a St. Joseph attorney and Democratic Party supporter, to operate the office in St. Joseph. The fee office moved from the East Hills Shopping Center to 2319 N. Belt Highway on Sept. 14.

Sandy Gutshall, the office manager in St. Joseph, said customers have reacted favorably to the increased availability of parking and seating. She said the office also takes credit and debit cards, something that wasn’t available at the East Hills location.

“Everyone seems to be loving the parking and seating,” she said. “We are really snowed under.”

The office in St. Joseph employs six people.