FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): Mayor Tom Henry signed the wheel tax into law.
But he did so “reluctantly”, according to a press release. Henry says he believes that the city “can’t stop investing in our infrastructure system and jeopardize Fort Wayne’s momentum.”
He blames the recent vote to nix annexation and reduced revenues from gasoline taxes for needing the wheel tax.
“Various factors, including City Council’s decision to move away from annexation and a reduction in revenues from the motor vehicle highway fund/gasoline tax put us in a difficult situation,” Henry said.
The tax, which goes into effect in 2017, is meant to bring in almost $5 million a year for road projects.
Henry does say that, if the Allen County Council passes a wheel tax themselves, he would recommend the city’s wheel tax be rescinded.
“I have concluded should the Allen County Council entertain the possibility of an additional wheel tax themselves, I will respectfully request our City Council rescind the municipal wheel tax,” Henry said. “City residents having to pay two wheel taxes should be unacceptable”
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