Residents pay $56 to renew their plates each year, according to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. This does not include the additional costs for vanity and personalized plates.
Middletown already collects a $5 tax as part of that fee, which generates about $235,000 per year, according to a report from Scott Tadych, public works and utilities director.
If the increase is approved by council, the local fee would double the amount of revenues to about $470,000 a year.
The tax is collected by the OBMV when motor vehicle registrations are issued annually then distributed to the County’s on a monthly basis. The city requests funds from either Butler or Warren County when specific projects are planned and constructed.
Council has indicated that street paving is a priority and that the additional revenue would go toward improvements for planning, constructing, reconstructing, improving, maintaining and repairing city streets and roadways. The revenues would also go for improvements to bridges, street lights, signage and pavement markings.
Butler County designates specific streets that are eligible for the funding, while Warren County allows funds to be used on any street within the county.