Tab Fees Hit Grandview Drivers
GRANDVIEW -- Grandview is introducing a new $20 tab fee for drivers.
Talk about a really bad time to add a new tax. City leaders in Grandview insist they have no other choice. The money for road maintenance is empty and the only way to make repairs is a new $20 tab fee anytime someone renews their plates.
"When that money's gone, it's gone.... and the maintenance is still there," says City Administrator Cus Arteaga.
Grandview began losing half a million dollars a year when the state supreme court overturned the Washington's $30 tab fee a decade ago; money that would have gone to the town's street fund. Without adequate maintenance, roads started crumbling. Administrators called the tab fees a last resort. Local folks are calling it an understandable sacrifice.
"I don't like having to pay more money, but if they're going to do it, it's probably the best way to do it," says Lois Raymond.
City leaders tell KIMA the new fees will only be used for street maintenance.
Grandview hopes to receive $150,000 a year from tab fees. The money will be used all over town, not to just fix potholes, but to prevent them from opening up in the first place.
The tab fees will go into effect on January 1st.
Administrators say they have not decided which parts of town will be the first to benefit from the fees.
Talk about a really bad time to add a new tax. City leaders in Grandview insist they have no other choice. The money for road maintenance is empty and the only way to make repairs is a new $20 tab fee anytime someone renews their plates.
"When that money's gone, it's gone.... and the maintenance is still there," says City Administrator Cus Arteaga.
Grandview began losing half a million dollars a year when the state supreme court overturned the Washington's $30 tab fee a decade ago; money that would have gone to the town's street fund. Without adequate maintenance, roads started crumbling. Administrators called the tab fees a last resort. Local folks are calling it an understandable sacrifice.
"I don't like having to pay more money, but if they're going to do it, it's probably the best way to do it," says Lois Raymond.
City leaders tell KIMA the new fees will only be used for street maintenance.
Grandview hopes to receive $150,000 a year from tab fees. The money will be used all over town, not to just fix potholes, but to prevent them from opening up in the first place.
The tab fees will go into effect on January 1st.
Administrators say they have not decided which parts of town will be the first to benefit from the fees.
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