Morning Read: Franklin County looks at new car, truck tax
County governments are scrambling to make up revenue shortfalls. The 2% property tax makes it difficult to boost income the traditional route, so officials are considering alternatives.
The Plattsburgh Press Republican is reporting that Franklin County is considering charging a fee for cars and trucks registered in the county.
If adopted, the fee would be paid two years at a time, meaning it will cost $10 for each passenger vehicle registered and $20 for each registered commercial vehicle.
The proposed increase may help legislators as they try to balance the tentative 2012 budget, which could have a tax-levy increase of more than 30 percent when it is released on Oct. 1.
Officials said the new fee could generate $300,000 and take up to 2 percent off the tax levy.
What do you think? Is this a reasonable way to make up a budget deficit? The article points out that many counties already levy this tax.
Public hearings on the proposed change are scheduled for 6 pm Wednesday September 14th, at the Harrietstown Town Hall in Saranac Lake and the County Courthouse in Malone.
Tags: adirondacks, economy
Already the skirting of the new tax cap has begun. It was a dumb idea in the first place.
Clarification needed. If you were to renew your registration online would you be able to avoid the surcharge? Or avoid it by mailing in to Utica? Avoid it by going to a neighboring county DMV office to renew? If any of these options avoid the surcharge then Franklin county may actually see a decline in overall registration fees coming into the coffers. Sounds like the legislators need to do more research before adding taxes disguised as fees.