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Waseca County adopts $20 wheelage tax as commissioners move to shore up highway seal‑coat funding
Summary
Commissioners approved a preliminary highway construction plan and voted to double the wheelage tax to $20 per vehicle to slow reserves’ decline and fund seal‑coat and maintenance needs, while MnDOT outlined longer‑term Highway 13 and local projects.
WASECA, Minn. — The Waseca County Board of Commissioners on Monday approved a preliminary 2026 highway spending plan and voted to raise the county—s wheelage tax from $10 to $20 per vehicle, a move county staff said should generate roughly $380,000–$400,000 a year to help sustain local pavement preservation programs.
Speaker 2, who presented the Fund 13 preliminary budget, said the county is asking for “a little over $2,500,000,” a $94,000 (3.8%) increase over the current levy. He identified major cost drivers as $70,000 in wages and benefits, a $210,000 placeholder for early work on a proposed regional trail, and about $135,000 to finish a prior commitment at the fairgrounds. The county—s total preliminary highway construction program was described as just under $13.5 million.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the pump for the seal‑coat program has been sustained by reserves that are now at risk. Speaker 2 told the board that a penciled‑in $550,000 for seal coat would be covered from reserves next year but warned that, without new recurring revenue, the reserve account could be drawn down in a few years.
Board members debated the tradeoffs of doing seal coat in‑house versus contracting the work. Speaker 5 argued contracting frees county crews to tackle neglected maintenance such as ditch work; Speaker 2 said in‑house work is slower and ties up staff and equipment. The board concluded that a recurring revenue stream would be needed to avoid repeatedly reducing reserves.
MnDOT presentation and local projects: Greg Olsen, MnDOT District 7, briefed commissioners on statewide and district funding priorities and local projects. He said that over a 20‑year horizon the department is planning for roughly $36.7 billion statewide, and he described near‑term maintenance work affecting the county including a seal‑coat project on Highway 60 and concrete panel replacements on Highway 14 near the ethanol plant.
On longer‑range priorities, MnDOT identified major rehabilitation work on Highway 13 (Waseca–Waterville) and additional work on Highway 13 through Waseca as mid‑to‑long‑term priorities, with culvert replacements and drainage improvements staged in forthcoming program years.
Board action: After discussion, the board adopted a resolution increasing the wheelage tax to $20 per vehicle by voice vote. Speaker 2 said the change must be set by Aug. 1 to take effect for next year—s budget cycle.
Next steps: County staff will reflect the new revenue projection in the budget documents and continue coordination with MnDOT on project timing and local drainage/city impacts.
