Washington City Council to Consider Wheel Tax/Excise Tax Proposal

When the Washington City Council meets next week, a proposed ordinance is set to be introduced that would impose a municipal Wheel Tax and Motor Vehicle License Excise Tax and create the City of Washington Wheel Tax Fund and Motor Vehicle License Excise Surtax Fund.

Indiana municipalities, not just Washington, are considering adopting or increasing wheel taxes and vehicle excise taxes to generate dedicated revenue for local road repairs and secure matching state infrastructure grants.

The push is largely a response to legislative changes that capped property tax revenues, forcing cities to seek alternative funding to qualify for state road distribution dollars.

Council meets on Monday at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at 200 Harned Avenue.