By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tennessee—With yet another amendment approved Monday evening, the Henry County Commission will be considering the county-wide wheel tax once again at the September meeting.
The commission was set to approve second and final reading of the wheel tax levy, but an amendment was added to the resolution before the vote. The merits and/or flaws of levying an additional county-wide wheel tax have been discussed at length over several months.
During the public forum at the meeting’s outset, Paris Businessman Mike Weatherford suggested that the commission should remove language in the resolution that allows a reduced wheel tax for motorcycles and slow moving vehicles “with the reason being these are not their primary vehicles.”
Weatherford prefaced his statement by noting that the commissioners “have a hard job when it comes to keeping Henry Co. moving forward and keeping out taxes low”, while at the same time funding all the necessary projects.
He said he did not believe that the exception was fair. “Many of the people in Henry Co., including myself and many of you, the commissioners, have vehicles that are not our primary vehicles.” He noted he drives a truck to haul his bushhog to his farm “along with a car that I drive every so often, which is probably both driven less miles per year than a motorcycle or slow moving vehicle but will have to pay full price.”
His question, he said, is “What wrong are we trying to right by reducing the wheel tax on certain groups? I ask that you remove this language from the resolution to make it fair for all of Henry County. I believe once you think about it, you will agree that no one wants to pay more taxes or taxes in general, but when you ask people to pay a whee tax but exclude or reduce certain groups, that does not sit well with the people or show fairness to the taxpayers of Henry Co.”
Commissioner Ralph Wiles made a motion that the language be removed and other commissioners agreed. David Flowers said he agreed with Weatherford and David Webb said he did not anticipate the reception that adding that clause to the resolution would receive from the public. He said he regrets not having taken more time to consider the consequences the last time it was discussed.
The resolution stated that the need for new revenue to fund “construction, capital improvements, repairs and maintenance is great in Henry County” and that the commissioners have determined it is in the best interests of the county that an additional motor vehicle privilege tax in the amount of $30 be levied in the county…with the exception of motor cycles, class I vehicles, Class II vehicles, low speed vehicles and medium speed vehicles and the amount of said tax on these vehicles will be $15 so that the total motor vehicle privilege tax in Henry County will be $45.50 for each motor driven vehicle and $30.50 for each Motor Cycle, Class I vehicle, Class II vehicle, low speed vehicles and medium speed vehicles.”
Upon with commissioner voting against the amendment (Patrick Burns), the amendment removing the language about motorcycles, Class I, Class II vehicles, low and medium speed vehicles was approved.
In an earlier amendment, the resolution specifies that the tax imposed by the resoution will be repealed upon completion of the following projects: construction of a new county services building; renovation of the County building located at 311 E. Wood St.; renovation of the County building at 1108 Tyson Ave.; and restoration of the courthouse bell tower and belfry.
The commission then approved on first reading on the amended resolution (with Patrick Burns voting no).
In other business:
–The commission approved a resolution establishment and collection of a records management fee for records filed with the clerk’s office and clerks of the courts which amounts to $5 each.
–The commission approved an increase in the Mineral Severance tax rate to benefit the county road fund. Voting no were Marty Visser and Tater Hayes.
Photo: Mike Weatherford makes a presentation to the Commission. Shannon McFarlin photo.