EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) - The Eau Claire City Council voted Tuesday 7-3 in favor of raising the city vehicle registration fee, or wheel tax, from $24 a year to $50 a year.

Council president Emily Berge and councilmembers Larry Mboga and Charlie Johnson were the only 'no' votes.

An amendment by councilmember Joshua Miller was passed creating a sunset clause for the increase. Under that amendment the wheel tax will revert back to $24 a year on Dec. 31, 2028.

The $50 city wheel tax is separate from Eau Claire County's $30 fee. So a vehicle owner living in both Eau Claire County and the City of Eau Claire will pay a combined $80 per vehicle per year.

City staff says the wheel tax increase is needed to balance the operating budget and take some of the tax burden off of property owners. Several

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