County nixes new vehicle use tax
By Donna Comella

Wayne County Supervisors had ruffled the feathers of more than a few taxpayers when they proposed taxing vehicle use. In an effort to increase County revenues, the 15 supervisors wanted to have people pay an extra $5 per year to register their cars that weighed in at less than 3500 pounds. The proposal would have cost $10/year for those driving anything over 3500 pounds, or a commercial truck or bus.

Even before the public hearing began Tuesday morning, supervisors had relented to angry taxpayers and had decided to pull the resolution from the agenda.

Fourteen people spoke in opposition to the new tax, telling supervisors that they needed to cut back on spending, and stop raising taxes. 'We are not bottomless pits,' said one Williamson resident.

Retired Col. Phil Wagner of Wolcott said that although he thinks Wayne County is 'doing a much better job at surviving than most counties in the state,' the board needs to 'force departments to do more with less.' Wagner said that 70 percent of his phone bill is taxes, fees and surcharges, and only 30 percent is for phone use.

Ray Todd of Ontario agreed, and told supervisors they need to look at money wasted 'instead of nickel and diming us to death.' Todd suggested they consider disbanding the County Highway Department.

Several people who spoke said that they had questioned themselves about whether or not they could afford to stay in Wayne County.

Brian Manktelow of Lyons pointed to the table at the front of the room, laden with boxes of doughnuts and carafes of hot coffee. He told supervisors that they should realize that there are many people in the county who can't afford such things. 'You guys need to get off your duffs. You need to step up and do your job.'

When the taxpayers had said their peace, the public hearing was closed and Marion Supervisor Jody Bender addressed the people. Bender, who heads the Board of Supervisors Committee on Veterans, Elections and the County Clerk, told them that the resolution had been pulled. 'We do listen,' she told them, 'and we've talked amongst ourselves.' She told the voters that the proposal would be taken back to committee, and added, 'You did a good job today.'

According to documentation from County Clerk Linda Shaffer, 26 of the state's 62 counties require such a vehicle use fee to be paid. Supervisors had expected the fees to increase revenues in a year that was bringing a property tax hike of over 11 percent. They also originally planned to add $45,000 in Weights & Measures fees, but opted against that in last-minute December budget talks.

The next meeting of the Board will be Tuesday, April 19 at 9 a.m. in the second story Supervisors Chambers of the old County Courthouse in Lyons.

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