Gillett considers $20 wheel tax

The city of Gillett is considering adding a wheel tax to help pay for street repair and maintenance. The Public Works Committee recently proposed adding a $20 wheel tax to vehicle registrations for city residents. City officials said, with about 1,900 registered vehicles in the city, the tax would raise about $38,000. “This way renters, not just property owners, are footing the bill,” Alderman Terry Nelson said. The tax would be paid to the state when owners register their vehicles each year and then returned to the city, less a charge of 10 cents per transaction, on a quarterly basis. Nelson said the city would create a separate transportation fund and would use the money for street and bridge repairs. A public hearing on the issue will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at City Hall.