Alex Dalton

The Michigan City Common Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to impose a wheel tax and vehicle excise tax on the city's motorists, a move aimed at helping shore up the city's finances amid a bevy of financial strains.

The council's members agreed to suspend the body's rules and pass the ordinance on both second and third readings, a move that will allow the legislation to take effect starting in 2026. Had the council delivered final approval of the bill after the statutory Sept. 1 deadline, the city would have had to wait until the following year to begin collecting the new taxes.

Under the ordinance, owners of cars, pickup trucks and other small passenger vehicles will face a $25 annual vehicle excise tax. Buses, semitrailers and other larger vehicles will incur a $40 whee

See Full Page