Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Vehicle Registration Fee topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents tell council the proposed —wheel tax— would be regressive and deserve a referendum
Summary
More than a dozen residents told the Eau Claire City Council they oppose a proposed increase in the city—s vehicle registration fee, calling it regressive, urging a referendum or a sunset clause, and warning it would disproportionately hurt low-income and elderly residents.
Dozens of Eau Claire residents used the Nov. 10 public hearing to press the City Council to reject or modify a proposed increase to the local vehicle registration fee, calling it regressive and urging either a referendum or a time-limited (sunset) approach.
Jay Vincennes, a retired municipal finance director, told the council the fee is "very regressive" and urged either rejection or a sunset amendment if the council approves the increase. "Please note, if this wheel tax is increased to the level proposed, that would be the highest wheel tax in the state of Wisconsin," he said.
Several speakers said the increase would hit working households and people on fixed incomes. Jimmy Lam called the measure a "108% increase in 2 years" and warned that county and city fees combined could reach about $80 per vehicle annually. Jonathan Spires, who works 12-hour shifts, said he could not absorb a substantial jump in registration costs for an older vehicle that—s already expensive to maintain.
Opposition also included organized outreach. Elizabeth Willier of Americans for Prosperity delivered 99 signed paper petitions and noted that advocates had sent hundreds of emails urging council members to oppose the fee and support a referendum.
Supporters of rejecting or modifying the fee urged councilors to consider alternatives: revisit recently added positions funded by one-time revenue, seek a larger share of county-collected sales or vehicle funds, or identify internal reductions before raising a fee that applies to every vehicle owner.
Speakers acknowledged the council's difficult position: several called the administration—s budget case credible but argued voting to approve a steep fee without voter input would be unfair. Some residents suggested the council include sunset language so the increase would expire at the end of 2026 if other revenues did not materialize.
The council did not act on the vehicle-fee at the Nov. 10 hearing; the fee was scheduled for a vote the next evening.
