Caldwell joins county coalition to ask commissioners to place $20 vehicle‑registration fee on November ballot

City Public Works Director Haley Hart told council the county coalition has developed a proposal to place a local‑option vehicle registration fee before voters to make up projected shortfalls in transportation funding. Hart said a $20 annual fee per vehicle (motorcycles proposed at $19) would generate an estimated $4.4 million countywide, with Caldwell’s share about $640,000. The revenue would be split roughly 50/50 between cities and local highway districts with minimum distributions for smaller jurisdictions.

Hart said the group considered other revenue options, the distribution formula and how to allocate funds; the county commission must act by August 28 to put the measure on the November ballot. The measure would be a voter decision (50% plus one to pass); if the counties and cities agree to put the item to voters, agencies would do public education but could not use public resources to advocate. Councilor Chillemagh moved to approve initial support for coordination with surrounding jurisdictions; Council later moved to request the Board of County Commissioners to place the local option registration fee on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The motion passed.

Councilors asked about impacts on heavy trucks, distribution formulas, and outreach; staff said trucks pay larger state fees and the proposal mirrors approaches used elsewhere in the region.