SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - The City of Sheboygan is set to re-implement a wheel tax to increase funding for road projects within its limits.
The tax would be 20 dollars a year for any vehicle that typically resides within the city, and will be paid when its state registration is renewed.
Mayor Mike Vandersteen says there has been some who are confused over the actual cost. “Some think that it is going to be because you have two axles it will be 40 dollars, but it’s only 20 dollars per car per year when you renew.”
Vandersteen adds that there are also some who believe funds from the previous wheel tax did not go to road repair. He says as far as he knows, all funds from the previous tax were spent properly. “Some people have the feeling that the money could be spent for other things, and I think the aldermen have put a double protection into the legislation that we passed to see that that will not happen.”
The wheel tax is expected to raise under a million dollars a year, which will help the city take on road projects sooner. Vandersteen says every road will be repaired, but it will take time and be done on a priority basis. “So the roads that the people travel on the most will be addressed first, based on their condition. And then the roads that are less traveled in the neighborhood areas will again be approached on their priority within those districts and the condition of those roads.”
Overall, Vandersteen says the new wheel tax is about making sure the city is doing all that it can to keep roads in good shape. “We can’t meet their needs and keep their roads repaired without additional funds.”