(GARRETT) - The Garrett Common Council has adopted a municipal wheel tax ordinance following several weeks of discussion and a public hearing.
The measure, introduced in May and approved at the council's June 16 meeting, establishes a wheel tax, excise surtax and municipal wheel tax fund.
Wheel Tax Details
The ordinance imposes a $40 annual tax on certain vehicles registered within the city, including:
- Buses
- Recreational vehicles
- Semi-trailers with a declared gross weight of more than 9,000 pounds
- Trucks and trailers with a declared gross weight of more than 11,000 pounds
A $25 annual license excise tax will apply to:
- Passenger vehicles
- Motorcycles
- Motor-driven cycles
- Collector vehicles
- Smaller trailers and trucks
- Mini-trucks
- Military vehicles registered in Garrett
Exemptions include vehicles owned by the State of Indiana and its agencies, political subdivisions, certain religious and nonprofit organization buses, school buses and funeral service vehicles.
Garrett Clerk-Treasurer Marcie Conkle said the tax will be collected through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles when vehicles are registered. The ordinance is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2027, following review by the BMV.
Fire Training Facility Also Discussed
The Garrett Common Council also discussed a proposed fire department training facility after the Board of Works earlier declined a request to use city-owned property for the project.
Training Officer Tim Freeze had proposed sites behind the fire station and near the wastewater treatment plant. Council members questioned why the proposal was not presented to the council before the Board of Works made its decision.
Mayor Todd Fiandt said firefighters can use the Auburn training facility on Grandstaff Drive and raised concerns about potential impacts from training exercises near residential areas and railroad traffic. City officials also noted future wastewater treatment plant improvements could limit use of that site.
Fire Chief Doug Castator said sending firefighters to Auburn could limit participation because only part of the department could train there at one time.
Council members voiced support for exploring a local training facility. Conkle said a strategic plan for the fire department, including discussion of a training site, will be prepared for review by the Board of Works.
City officials emphasized the earlier decision was not a permanent rejection of the project.