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RTC briefs Ward 6 on November advisory question for EV/hybrid registration fee
Summary
Paul Nelson of the Regional Transportation Commission explained the advisory ballot question on an annual fee for electric and hybrid passenger vehicles, outlined alternatives (registration fee, VMT, per‑kWh) and said polling showed roughly 60% support; he noted the question would be advisory to the legislature, not binding.
Paul Nelson, government affairs officer for the Regional Transportation Commission, briefed the board on an advisory question headed for the Nov. ballot that would ask Washoe County voters whether they support “an annual road fee on electric and hybrid passenger vehicles registered in Washoe County” to help close a projected maintenance funding gap.
Nelson presented the rationale: rising vehicle miles traveled, falling taxable gallons sold and a regional shortfall he estimated at about $1.4 billion over the next 10 years for road maintenance. He said the Gwinn Center and subsequent polling found a registration fee to be the highest‑scoring option for speed of implementation and equity; polling results cited in the presentation showed about 60% of respondents favoring a fee and the $250 level receiving the strongest support.
"Do you support an annual road fee on an electric and hybrid passenger vehicles registered in Washoe County, which would be adjusted annually for inflation?" Nelson recited the ballot language and emphasized that RTC is providing information only: "we don't support or oppose" the advisory question, he said. He explained alternatives explored in studies included a vehicle‑miles‑traveled charge and a per‑kilowatt‑hour charging fee, but noted VMT is costlier to implement and kWh approaches have limited return because many people charge at home.
Board members asked about equity and rural impacts, whether Southern Nevada would consider similar measures and how indexing for inflation would work. Nelson said the ballot question would be advisory to the legislature and not create an immediate fee; it would signal Washoe County voters’ preference for policy action.
RTC also described local projects funded by existing local fuel taxes and grants, including Arlington Avenue and the Southeast Connector, and transit programs such as EdPass and FlexRide.
