Those seeking to register their motorized scooters in Clay County will soon be subject to the county's wheel tax and surtax charge.
During this week's Clay County Council meeting, members agreed to change the language of the wheel tax/surtax ordinance to include a $25 charge for mopeds.
Clay County Council President Larry Moss said the change comes as the state altered its definition of motor-powered vehicles.
Gov. Mike Pence signed a law in March that impacts how scooters and mopeds are regulated. The law, which will go into effect Jan. 1, states "motor driven cycles" have to be registered with a local Bureau of Motor Vehicles. A motor-driven cycle is defined as a motor vehicle that has a seat or saddle for the rider, is designed to travel on three wheels or less and does not have a cylinder capacity exceeding 50 cubic centimeters.
Clay County Auditor Mary Jo Alumbaugh said the tax would be applied when owners register their vehicles. In addition to the county being able to impose a wheel tax and surtax, according to the law, motor-driven cycles are also subject to an annual excise tax of $10.
"Anything you have to register with a license branch now qualifies to be charged a wheel tax," said Alumbaugh.
Alumbaugh added the county has to certify the ordinance by June 1 in order to start collecting wheel tax money in 2015.
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