The committee proposed allowing counties to add up to $5 to current fees paid by people getting a license for their vehicles.
The current maximum cost a passenger car license plate is $54.50, which is what residents of Montgomery County pay.
Under current law counties can levy up to $20 of the license fee.
"The Ohio vehicle registration fee is a user fee among the lowest in the nation that is paid by people who use the roads, and, as required by the Ohio Constitution, can only be used for the maintenance of roads and bridges,” Gruner said.
“Ohio counties are responsible for 26,081 bridges; Montgomery County is responsible for 520 bridges and has the 2nd largest square feet of deck area in the state,” Gruner said.
"The permissive vehicle registration fee authority has not been increased for 30 years, while the cost of everything required to maintain roads and bridges has more than doubled - this $5 will partially make up for that inflation."
The County Commissioners’ Association of Ohio is also supporting the increased fee, said Brad Cole, managing director of research.
“We’re pleased that this grant of authority is being considered by the General Assembly and we’re hopeful that this will remain part of the transportation budget,” he said.
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