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Council and commissioners say wheel tax is a last resort despite new lane-mile funding option
Summary
Officials discussed HEA 1461's lane-mile direct distribution requiring a wheel tax for direct Community Crossings funds; council members said they oppose a wheel tax and would only consider it if no other way exists to secure paving funds.
During a joint meeting over grant and transportation funding, Washington County officials discussed a new lane-mile direct distribution (LMDD) created under HEA 1461 that conditions direct Community Crossings funding on adoption of a wheel tax or excise surtax.
Superintendent Voyles explained the LMDD mechanics and eligibility; the minutes record Councilman Todd Armstrong saying the council "does not want to implement a wheel tax and would only consider doing so if there was no other way to get grant money for paving." Commissioners and council members described the wheel tax as a last resort. The record shows no final decision to adopt such a tax; officials said they would pursue other avenues before considering a local wheel tax to secure LMDD funding.
The minutes also note the county's existing Community Crossings matching grant eligibility remains unchanged for other grant paths. No ordinance or vote adopting a wheel tax was recorded during these sessions.
