Anoka Co. to end wheelage tax surcharge

The Anoka County Board of Commissioners voted today to end a surcharge on car and truck license tab renewals called a "Wheelage tax."

Anoka County is one of five suburban counties in the Twin Cities metro area that currently charge $5 wheelage fees. The seven metro counties have had legislative authority to charge the fee since the 1970s.

Starting next year all 87 Minnesota counties will be allowed to add $10 surcharges to the cost of tab renewals. Some Anoka County commissioners who voted to opt out of the Wheelage fee program expressed anger that state lawmakers doubled the fee from $5 to $10.

Still, County Commissioner Jim Kordiak voted to continue charging the fee.

"It's a user tax," Kordiak said. "What a perfect model to fund our highway system -- a user tax. It's like driving over a toll. If you don't want to take a toll, find a different road."

According to the Association of Minnesota Counties, 39 Minnesota counties are set to charge the wheelage fee next year. But that number could increase. The deadline for counties to decide is Aug. 1.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.