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Commission adopts temporary $5 motor-vehicle transaction fee (Jan 1, 2027–Dec 31, 2029) under SB 325
Summary
Treasurer Bert Reuter proposed adopting the additional $5 motor-vehicle transaction fee allowed by Kansas Senate Bill 325 to generate user-based revenue; the commission approved Resolution 2026-13 to implement the fee from Jan. 1, 2027 through Dec. 31, 2029.
Ellis County Treasurer Bert Reuter briefed the commission on Senate Bill 325 (2026), a state law that replaces the former $2.50 office fee and authorizes counties to adopt a base $5 transaction fee and, temporarily from Jan. 1, 2027, through Dec. 31, 2029, an additional fee up to $5 per motor-vehicle transaction. Reuter explained the county processes about 40,000 motor-vehicle transactions annually and estimated each $1 increase generates roughly $20,000 annually; adopting the additional $5 would shift revenue to align motor-vehicle workload with a user-based model and reduce reliance on property-tax support.
Commissioners asked about the implementation timeline and reporting requirements to the state; Reuter said counties must provide impact reporting from 2027 through 2029. The commission moved and adopted Resolution 2026-13 to implement the additional $5 fee for the three-year period as allowed under state law.
