$50 wheel tax approved
By Eddie West
Staff Writer
County commissioners approved a resolution implementing a $50 wheel tax with funds benefiting the county highway department on first reading.
The legislation calls for funds generated by the wheel tax to be used for “county highway capital projects fund and used to make capital improvements to the roads of Smith County”.
A $100 wheel tax had initially been proposed, but that figure was reduced by commissioners to $50.
For passage, the resolution had to meet a two-thirds majority of the 24 member county commission which would be 16 votes.
Despite only 17 members of the commission present at the meeting, the resolution received 16 yes votes to one no vote.
One commission seat was vacant at the time of the vote but has since been filled.
Approval came during the commission’s regularly scheduled Monday, September 23 meeting.
During the meeting, County Mayor Jeff Mason said funds would be used for “oil, gravel and equipment”.
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As a retired heavy equipment operator and highway county employee in park county co. I know there are other options to better spend current funds. By putting a 50 dollar opened tax on seniors already hard pressed to pay bills is a travesty I have personally talked to mayor of the county and been rebuffed.