title
Request for creation of Chapter 3.18 of the Wauwatosa Municipal Code of Ordinances to implement a Vehicle Registration Fee
body
Submitted by:
John Ruggini
Department:
Finance Department
A. Issue
A $15.00 Vehicle Registration Fee was included in the recently adopted 2025 Budget. An ordinance must be adopted for it to become effective. A draft ordinance is attached to this memo.
B. Background/Options
The 2025 Budget included a Vehicle Registration Fee to fund reckless driving and road maintenance initiatives. Chapter Trans 126.02 under Wisconsin Statutes 35.93 requires a municipal body to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of the enactment of a Vehicle Registration Fee by providing the ordinance that enacted the fee.
This notification must be provided 90 days prior the first day of the month in which the ordinance is effective. Given this requirement, the ordinance will become effective on April 1, 2025.
C. Strategic Plan (Area of Focus)
Priority Area Two: Public Safety
• Proactively address pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular safety.
Priority Area Three: Infrastructure
• Increase alternative (non-property tax based) funding to support capital projects
D. Fiscal Impact
This will increase homeowner annual taxes and fees by $30.00 on average. $408,000 in revenue was budgeted for 2025 assuming a March 1 effective date. The estimated revenue total is $364,000 with the 1-month delay.
E. Recommendation
I recommend approval of the ordinance in order to effectuate the 2025 Budget.