MARSHFIELD, Wis. — The City of Marshfield is considering a new $25 annual municipal vehicle registration fee as a way to provide dedicated funding for street maintenance and other transportation-related needs.
Under proposed Ordinance No. 1547, eligible vehicles customarily kept within the City of Marshfield would be charged an additional $25 each year when the vehicle is registered or its registration is renewed through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
If approved by the Marshfield Common Council, the fee would take effect January 1, 2027.
City officials say revenue generated by the fee would be dedicated to transportation-related expenses. Marshfield is proposing to use the money primarily for its annual seal coat and crack-fill program, subject to approval by the Common Council during the annual budget process.
The City says establishing a dedicated source of revenue for preventative pavement maintenance could help protect existing street investments while reducing the City's reliance on long-term borrowing to pay for recurring maintenance.
According to information released by the City, the proposal could also help prevent continued increases to the City's debt levy and reduce the burden placed on property taxes to fund transportation needs.
The vehicle registration fee, sometimes referred to as a "wheel tax," is authorized under Wisconsin law and can be established by cities, villages, towns and counties. It is a flat annual fee charged in addition to the state's regular vehicle registration fee.
The proposed fee would not appear on residents' property tax bills.
Which vehicles would pay the fee?
The fee would generally apply to eligible vehicles customarily kept within Marshfield, including automobiles, autocycles and trucks registered at 8,000 pounds or less, excluding dual-purpose farm registrations.
That means most passenger cars, SUVs, vans and light trucks kept within the city would be subject to the additional $25 charge.
A household with two eligible vehicles, for example, would pay an additional $50 per year.
Several types of vehicles would be exempt, including motorcycles, mopeds, trailers, motor homes, buses and trucks registered above 8,000 pounds. Certain vehicles and special registrations that are exempt from the state's regular registration fee would also be exempt.
What if you have a Marshfield mailing address but don't live in the city?
Having "Marshfield" in a mailing address would not automatically make a vehicle subject to the fee.
The fee would apply to eligible vehicles customarily kept within the City of Marshfield. Someone with a Marshfield mailing address who actually lives outside city limits would not be subject to the City's fee.
Residents are encouraged to check their vehicle registration renewal notice to make sure the municipality where the vehicle is kept is listed correctly.
How would the fee be collected?
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation would collect the $25 fee along with the vehicle's regular registration fees. After retaining a small administrative charge, WisDOT would remit the remaining revenue to the City.
The City says the proposal is being considered as Marshfield faces continued street maintenance needs at the same time construction and maintenance costs are increasing and local revenue options remain limited.
Marshfield would not be alone in imposing such a fee. According to the City, as of September 1, 2026, municipal vehicle registration fees had been enacted by 14 Wisconsin counties, 38 cities, four towns and 15 villages.
The Marshfield Common Council will ultimately decide whether to enact the proposed fee.