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Brown County Commissioners Court backs resolution seeking larger county share of fuel and EV fees
Summary
Brown County’s commissioners approved a resolution asking the Texas Legislature to allocate a larger share of state motor-fuel tax receipts and a portion of electric-vehicle registration fees to county road funds, and directed staff to forward the signed resolution to the county’s state legislators and the Texas Association of Counties.
Brown County Commissioners Court approved a resolution April 20 urging the Texas Legislature to change how motor-fuel and electric-vehicle registration revenues are shared so counties receive a larger, dedicated portion for local road maintenance.
The court’s presiding official read the resolution aloud, which described counties as “a functional arm of state government” and said current allocations have not kept pace with population growth and inflation. The resolution, as read to the court, called for reallocating 1.5% of the state motor-fuel tax to the county and road district highway fund and for dedicating 5% of electric-vehicle registration fee revenue to county road funds. It also asked that the signed resolution be forwarded to the county’s state legislators and the Texas Association of Counties.
Why it matters: County officials said the change would provide additional, pay-as-you-go funding for local transportation infrastructure without raising tax rates. Commissioners framed the measure as a means to improve the county’s ability to maintain local roads used by residents, businesses and emergency services.
What the court did: After the resolution text was read, a motion to approve it was made and seconded; the court approved the motion by voice/hand vote and planned to sign copies for delivery to legislators and the Texas Association of Counties.
Noted inconsistencies in the text: portions of the resolution reading also referenced alternate formulations (an earlier verbal reference to “one penny” and a 1/20 phrasing), while the formal line read to the court specified “1.5%.” The resolution as recorded in the meeting packet and as read to the court is the county’s official voice on the request; the court did not amend the language during the meeting.
What comes next: The county will deliver the signed resolution to state lawmakers and the Texas Association of Counties to urge legislative changes; any statutory change would require action by the Texas Legislature.
Quote (court reading): "Therefore, be it resolved that the Brown County Commissioners Court does hereby find that it is in the best interest of Texas counties and their taxpayers to support and favor the passage of legislation that ... reallocates 1.5% of the state motor fuel tax to the county road district highway fund."
