Bedford County adopts $5 vehicle-registration fee to fund roads and bridges; one commissioner opposed

The Bedford County Board of Commissioners voted on May 12, 2026 to adopt Ordinance No. 05.12.2026, establishing a $5 county fee on each non‑exempt vehicle registered to an address in Bedford County. The board recorded approval by Commissioner Baughman and Commissioner Stiles; Commissioner Winck was recorded as opposed. Under the ordinance the fee will take effect August 12, 2026 and the county must notify the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation as required by 75 Pa.C.S. §1935.

The ordinance implements the option created by Act 89 (75 Pa.C.S. §1935) to collect a $5 fee at the time of vehicle registration and to deposit this revenue into the county's Fee for Local Use Fund. The statute requires deposits be used for transportation purposes or allocated according to 75 Pa.C.S. §9010(c) (the County Liquid Fuels Tax Fund). Commissioner Stiles noted the board’s estimate that the measure will generate about $330,000 for roads and bridges.

The vote followed earlier agenda presentations from county planners and the county engineer about local bridge needs and funding options, which outlined a mix of potential sources including TIP, PennDOT liquid fuels money, Act 13/Marcellus Shale funds and the vehicle registration fee. County staff also reviewed PennDOT’s scoring criteria for projects and the county’s current bridge inventory.

The ordinance text sets the effective date at August 12, 2026 and directs the county chief clerk to notify PennDOT at least 90 days before the effective date, consistent with state law. The board recorded the motion to adopt the ordinance made by Commissioner Baughman and seconded by Commissioner Winck; the minutes show two votes in favor and one opposed.