Isanti County board raises wheelage tax to $20 a year in 3–2 vote

The Isanti County Board of Commissioners voted 3–2 on July 7 to increase the county wheelage tax to $20 per motor vehicle per year, effective Jan. 1, 2027. The resolution (No. 2026-014) instructs the county auditor-treasurer to certify the tax to the State Registrar of Motor Vehicles no later than Aug. 1, 2026 and requests that the state collect the fee on the county’s behalf.

The resolution cites Minnesota Statutes, section 163.051, which authorizes counties to levy a wheelage tax of up to $20 per year and specifies exemptions for motorcycles, motorized bicycles, motorized foot scooters and certain other vehicles. The board’s resolution also directs that revenue from the wheelage tax be deposited in the Isanti County Road and Bridge Fund and used for lawful highway purposes, including construction, maintenance, preservation and improvement of local transportation infrastructure.

County Administrator Amanda Usher read the published notice of the public hearing before the board opened comments on the proposal. The minutes record that public comment was made during the hearing; the meeting minutes do not include the text of those comments.

The motion to adopt the resolution was made by Commissioner Christensen and seconded by Commissioner Westerberg. Commissioners Christensen and LaRowe recorded votes against the measure; the final tally was three in favor and two opposed. The resolution supersedes the county’s earlier wheelage-tax resolution to the extent of any inconsistency and expressly sets the effective date of Jan. 1, 2027.

The board directed county officials — including the auditor-treasurer, county administrator and county engineer — to take the steps necessary to implement the resolution. The resolution and minutes list the statutory citations it relies on and the procedural deadline for certification to the State Registrar.