SEVERAL ATTACHMENTS TO THIS STORY SHOW ADDITIONAL DETAILS RELATING TO BLUFFTON -

Allen County commissioners enacted two separate $5 permissive license plate fees this summer.

As a result, in 2019 year the county will start receiving about $740,000 of additional revenue each year, along with some more funding for the townships and municipalities, according to Brion Rhodes, Allen County engineer.

The commissioner’s action came after county voters rejected a 0.2 percent sales tax increased in May.

Jesse Blackburn, Bluffton village administrator, told Bluffton council members on Monday that Village of Bluffton benefit of the two fees is $8,670 additional per year. He added that, for example, Bluffton utilized $55,000 of permissive tax monies this year to pave the County Line Road.

Rhodes provided the Icon with background on the new fees:
"As you are probably aware, maintaining and upgrading our local roads and bridges has become a nearly impossible task. 

"Primarily because of the lack of funding, which hasn’t been increased (for decades) to keep up with inflation. 

"In addition, over the last 10 years our main sources of revenue have declined due to reductions in fuel sales and vehicle registrations; all while equipment costs have doubled and construction costs have nearly tripled (paving cost $25,000 per mile in 2003 vs. $70,000 today). 

"This has created huge holes in our budget and maintenance schedules, which has only exacerbated the deterioration of our infrastructure.

"The only caveat is this new funding can only be spent on roads and bridges."

Rhodes provided the following additional details on the fees:

• Who is affected by the first new permissive license plate fee 4504.15?  
Allen County residents who register/purchase license plates (cars, motorcycles, farm trucks, campers etc., excluding the residents in Lima and Spencerville because their municipalities are already collecting an additional $5 through ORC 4504.17.

• Who is affected by the second new permissive license plate fee 4504.24?  
All Allen County residents who register/purchase license plates.

• How much will be generated?
4504.15 will generate about $240,000 for the county with additional funding being distributed to townships and municipalities

4504.24 will generate about $500,000 and 100% is directed to the county.

• How much will my township/municipality receive from these permissive license plate fees?

4504.15 – As per the ORC, Townships will receive 30% and municipalities will receive 50% of the registrations in their area.

• When will the new revenue start coming in?

MUNICIPALITIES – Revenue from the new permissive fee (4504.15) will be deposited directly into the municipalities account by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

TOWNSHIPS – Revenue from the new permissive fee (4504.15) will be distributed to the county auditor, who will divide the funds into separate accounts for the county and townships.  This revenue will be deposited monthly with the majority of it starting in January. 

ATTACHMENTS:
• Permissive tax estimates for Allen County
• License summary by vehicle types for Allen County