After a long period of discussion, the Kosciusko County Council voted four to three in approval of a motion to create a wheel tax ordinance that will be voted on at next month’s meeting. The ordinance will set the annual wheel tax to $15 for trailers weighing between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds, $25 for trailers in the 7,000 to 9,000 pound bracket and keep it at $40 for any trailers that are heavier. Those voting in favor of the ordinance were Jon Fussle, Robert Sanders, Larry Teghtmeyer and Brad Tandy. Those voting in opposition were Jon Garber, Jim Moyer and Doug Heinisch.

Several options were discussed during the course of the meeting, including not altering the tax at all. Sanders and Fussle expressed interest in an ordinance that would lower the rates to $15, $20 and $40 for the three respective weight classifications. Several members of the council expressed their belief the need for funds to improve road conditions outweighed the need to reduce the tax. When it came time for public comment, Ron Truex of the county commissioners stated, “We have all gotten less complaints about the wheel tax than we did about the bad roads.” He then continued,  “If you want to stick your head in the sand and say ‘we don’t need a wheel tax,’ fine, then we will continue to get calls about the bad roads.”

Moyer expressed he felt the pros of increased funds for the highway department to use outweighed the inconvenience the tax imposed upon individuals: “Using my construction experience, I think the highway department needs all they can get. I am not in support of changing anything just yet.” Tandy recognized the validity of this sentiment, and added: “We have been conservative, we have not wanted to propose an additional tax, but now we desperately need it.”

Sanders stated his belief the current tax could cause people to knowingly break the law, “I fear that in some respects we are going to cause people to sit back and break the law because they don’t want to pay that tax. I have already had people come up to me and say ‘I am not going to license my trailer, I am going to take my chances twice a year.’“ Fussle expressed he agreed with Sanders, and noted the council does not have too many opportunities to “roll back taxes.” Garber expressed his hesitation might be eased by a more formal presentation of data, “We are throwing out all these numbers, but without the paperwork I don’t feel comfortable.”

If a decision is going to be finalized in time for the beginning of next year, it must be made by June’s meeting, otherwise it will remain as it is for another year. The ultimate approval of the motion means there will now be an amendment to the current ordinance that will be prepared and voted on during May’s meeting.