County Announces Public Meeting on $5 Vehicle Registration Proposal

LOCK HAVEN – The Clinton County Commissioners announced Monday they will hold a public meeting on Monday, Aug. 27 on a proposal to add a countywide $5 fee onto the cost of state vehicle registration.

They said the purpose of the meeting will be to take public input either for or against the proposal advanced earlier this summer. The commissioners said they will be providing additional information regarding why they have been considering enacting the fee and further background on the legislation that allows counties to adopt the fee and what the funds could/would be used for.

They said the meeting is in response to their desire to be transparent, accept public input, and clarify some misconceptions that may exist.
The August 27 meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the second floor Piper Building meeting room.

The commissioners had heard from several county residents at their public session last Thursday, attendees upset with the proposal. The county floated the idea earlier this summer, proceeds from the state registration fee add-on to be put towards roads and bridges within Clinton County. The state will match the $5 fee with $5 from its Surface Transportation Program, to be used for bridge rehabilitation. The county owns two bridges.

The commissioners said Monday they have two letters of support from county boroughs and are seeking the opinions of other boroughs and townships. They said they plan to vote on the fee after the Labor Day holiday.

Pennsylvania registration fees are presently $37 for a passenger vehicle, $19 for a motorcycle; truck registration fees are based on weight. The commissioners earlier said both Lycoming and Centre Counties are among 22 Pennsylvania counties to have adopted the fee.