Wheel Tax Consideration Starts Spinning in Knox County Council

The Knox County Council will start consideration of a wheel tax in the near future, to ensure a steady stream of state road funding. By state law, only counties who have a wheel tax in place can collect their entire one and a half million dollars in C-C-M-G money.
In discussion last night, Council attorney Drew Porter told Council members the tax can range anywhere from seven to 40 dollars each year. The wheel tax would be payable upon renewal of the license plates each year. At this point, Knox County is one of around 20 counties statewide who do not have a wheel tax in place.
The wheel tax requirement will take effect at the start of 2027. Council members have until June of next year to get a wheel tax in place, to ensure the full C-C-M-G road funding. Council president Mike Morris emphasizes this is the “beginning of discussions” on the matter.