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Middleton weighs joining countywide $20 vehicle registration measure that could yield ~$110,000 a year
Summary
Council discussed joining other Canyon County roadway agencies to request a $20-per-vehicle county registration fee on the November ballot. Staff estimated Middleton's share at about $110,000 annually and noted the measure would run 20 years under current proposals; the council asked staff to prepare a resolution for a future meeting.
City staff briefed the Middleton City Council on March 18 about an interagency effort to place a countywide vehicle registration fee on the ballot that would charge roughly $20 per vehicle when renewing registration and dedicate revenue to roadway agencies.
Jason Bahl, who identified himself as Public Works Director, told council the steering committee (including city and highway-district representatives) discussed several pathways to get a measure on the November ballot: a citizen petition, a unanimous request from all roadway agencies (about 13 entities), or a county-commission referral. If placed before voters, the measure would require a simple majority to pass.
Using the current draft distribution formula, Bahl said Middleton’s estimated share would be in the range of $110,000 per year. He explained the package contemplates a $60,000 minimum per qualifying agency so the smallest highway districts would receive a meaningful floor. He also noted some agencies view the 20-year term under discussion as long and that not every district is likely to sign on—staff estimated 11–12 of 13 agencies might be needed to convince commissioners to place it on the ballot.
Council members asked how the fee could be used; Bahl said funds must be spent on roads and would help smaller agencies meet match requirements for grants, improve competitiveness, and support capital projects without drawing on general fund dollars. Council directed staff to prepare resolution language and proposed distribution wording for consideration at the next meeting and to coordinate with other cities if Middleton wanted to pursue formally requesting the ballot measure.
No formal council vote was taken to place the measure on the ballot at the March 18 meeting; council members signalled support for seeing the proposed resolution and distribution details before committing to a formal request.
