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Commission approves draft language to pursue vehicle (wheel) tax for capital projects, including jail funding
Summary
Commissioners approved draft ordinance language to proceed with a wheel (vehicle) tax to fund capital outlays, including a potential jail; the vote authorizes staff to prepare language for next month's agenda amid disagreement over earmarking and sunset provisions.
The county commission voted to direct staff to draft ordinance language for a vehicle (wheel) tax to generate revenue for capital projects, with an initial intent to apply proceeds to capital fund 171 (capital outlays) and to use the draft language as the basis for next month’s agenda.
Commissioner David Thomas moved that the draft use the numbers presented and direct that 100% of the vehicle-fee proceeds be deposited to capital outlays; the motion drew divided support over whether funds should be dedicated solely to the jail project, split among multiple capital priorities or include a multi-decade sunset. After debate about timing for a referendum and how quickly project costs can be established, the commission approved the motion to proceed with draft verbiage by electronic vote: 16 yes, 2 no, 2 absent.
Several commissioners noted procedural constraints if the measure is to appear on a November ballot and warned that final allocation (all jail vs. general capital) can be amended when the ordinance returns for a vote. Staff were asked to prepare clear verbiage and to return with final numbers and ordinance text next month.
