Citizens Let Wheel Tax Increase Stand
The resolution to increase wheel tax in Jefferson County will pass into law unchallenged. Friday, April 10, 2015 was the last date for petitions to be filed to send the wheel tax issue to referendum. At the close of the business day on April 10th , there were no where near the number of signatures needed to force a referendum, according to information provided by the Jefferson County Election Office. A total of four petitions were turned into the Election Office in time to meet the 4pm deadline. However, combined the four petitions had a signature total of around 160 names and less than 100 of those could be certified. That number is far short of the 1046 certified signatures that were required to force a referendum on the wheel tax issue.
According to the resolution passed by the County Commission on January 20,2015 and on second reading in March, the increase in wheel tax will go into effect on July 1, 2015. The anticipated revenue from the additional wheel tax will be around the $1million dollar mark, with an increase of $25 for a total of $50 for motor driven vehicle and $15 for a total of $30 for motorcycles. The Jefferson County Budget Committee will meet this week to address the remaining deficit in the 2015-2016 fiscal year’s budget.
