9.c) Resolution of Support-Wheelage Tax Resolution of Support
Wheelage Tax
WHEREAS, well maintained roads provide safe routes for travel and access to our community, and
WHEREAS, well maintained roads provide a strong foundation for economic vitality and growth,and
, WHEREAS, County Highways are an important component of our transportation system, providing
regional access to and from communities and are the identified regional truck routes,and
WHEREAS, increasing costs of road construction and maintenance are placing a greater pressure on our
governments to find revenues to continue to maintain valuable transportation infrastructure, and
WHEREAS,Washington County highway needs continue to increase and currently outpace funding by
$7,000,000 annually, and
WHEREAS, increasing property taxes to fund highways is the only revenue source currently available to
the county, and
WHEREAS, County Governments in the Twin Cities Metro area have the option to levy a Wheelage Tax,
under Minnesota Statute 163.051, capped at$5.00 per vehicle, and
WHEREAS, in Washington County,this tax provides approximately$1,000,000 of funding annually,
specifically directed towards maintaining and improving county highways, and
WHEREAS, since 2007,the Wheelage Tax has helped to fund over 20 miles of road improvements in the
County, and
WHEREAS, a Wheelage Tax reduces the pressure on the property tax, and acts as a user fee for
transportation,and
WHEREAS,the ability to increase the amount charged per vehicle, will directly increase the funds
available for the county to maintain and improve its county highway system.
NOW,THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,the City of Scandia supports Washington County's 2013 Legislative
Platform that supports an increase in the wheelage tax cap and supports continuing local decision
making authority to implement a wheelage tax and the amount to charge with the County Board.