Fitchburg might join a group of 48 Wisconsin municipalities and 13 counties that charge a wheel tax

Up from 36 municipalities two years ago.

List of municipalities and counties: Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Headline:  Wisconsin State Journal, 3/19/2025

Nicole Pollack reports:

Fitchburg could soon join Madison, Sun Prairie and dozens of other municipalities in imposing a wheel tax after voters rejected a $3.6 million property tax referendum in November. 

The proposed $40 annual vehicle registration fee would generate $1 million per year for the city’s transportation system. If the fee is approved by the Fitchburg City Council, it will take effect on Aug. 1 and will apply to newly registered vehicles as well as those with registrations expiring in or after August. 

“The vehicle registration fee has to be used, by state statute, for transportation-related uses,” said Chad Brecklin, Fitchburg’s city administrator. “Those things are obviously road repairs, road resurfacing, transit, road reconstruction projects. Really the gamut of anything that would be related to providing transportation-related services to our community.”

Related posts:

City of Eau Claire might join the group of 36 municipalities and 13 counties that charge a wheel tax in Wisconsin.  (3/19/2025)

Wisconsin wheel tax UPDATE:  Madison initiates gift card program for low-income families.  (1/27/2020)

Bumpy ride: an endless quest to fix local roads in Wisconsin No decision on Marathon County wheel tax.  (Northwoods Radio, 8/19/2016)
Wausau asks county for wheel tax cash.  (Wausau Daily Herald, 8/18/2016)
Milwaukee County.  County wheel tax, end to free GO Pass proposed.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8/12/2016)
Green Bay considers road tax to fund roadwork.  (Green Bay Press Gazette, 8/2/2016)
Portage council OKs wheel tax; goes into effect Jan. 1.  (The Times, 5/5/2016)