City of Platteville Adds New Fees in 2017

With the approval of the 2017 Budget, the City of Platteville has two new fees that will affect City residents. The first new fee is a Motor Vehicle Registration Fee (Wheel Tax).  The charge will be $20 per registered vehicle (some restrictions apply) and money collected must be used for transportation purposes. The fee will be collected by the Department of Transportation through annual vehicle registrations and is only applicable to vehicles registered within the City of Platteville.

The second new fee is an Ambulance Service Fee, which will be sent via the monthly Water and Sewer Bill.  With the ambulance service now at Southwest Health, the City of Platteville is incurring a yearly annual support fee to help support some of the anticipated unreimbursed costs related to capital expenses.  The revenue collected will cover 100% of the City’s annual support fee to Southwest Health. This fee has already been implemented and follows the following council approved rate schedule:

Commercial Customers
$10/month
Industrial Customers
$10/month
Public Authority Customers
$10/month
Residential/Multi-Family CustomerS
$1.45 per unit/month

While we understand that no one likes new taxes and/or fees, it is our hope that all residents see value in the importance of improving our streets and supporting emergency services for years to come.  If you still have questions and/or concerns, please feel free to call Director of Administration Valerie Martin at 348-9741 x 2227.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the City determine "customer type" when applying the new Ambulance Service Fee?

The City of Platteville Water and Sewer Department is regulated by the Public Service Commission (PSC).  The PSC recognizes five primary customer classes.  These include:

Residential customers are those customers that have water service provided for residential or domestic purposes.  Sales to multiple-dwelling buildings through a single meter serving three or more family units are classified as multifamily residential.

Multifamily Residential customers are those customers taking service for a building that is intended primarily for residential or domestic purposes, has three or more dwelling units, and is served by a single meter. This classification also includes mobile home parks that are master metered. Mixed-use commercial properties, such as apartments mixed with retail, are classified as commercial. 

Commercial customers are a business, not-for-profit organization, or other institution (except governmental) that provide goods or services that take service for non-residential purposes.  Churches, private schools, private colleges and universities, co-ops, and associations are non-governmental and are considered commercial customers.

Industrial customers are those customers engaged in the manufacture of production of goods.

Public Authority customers are those of an agency of the local, state or federal government, or a local, state or federal entity.  Since public schools are governmental, they are classified as public authority.

 

Category: New Fees in 2017
I received a Motor Vehicle Registration Fee but do not live within the City of Platteville. Do I have to pay the fee?

Your registration fee includes a new $20 municipal vehicle registration fee collected on behalf of the City of Platteville. You have received this fee because, according to DMV records, your vehicle is registered as "being kept in" the City of Platteville. If your vehicle is not kept in the City of Platteville, please contact the WisDOT at vehiclequestions@dot.wi.gov or (608) 266-1466 to correct their records. Any person who gives a false or fictitious location where a vehicle is customarily kept may be fined not more than $200 or imprisoned not more than six months or both (section 341.60, WI stats.) 

Category: New Fees in 2017
When were the Ambulance Service Fee and Motor Vehicle Registration Fee approved? Did the Community have a chance for input?

Starting in October 2016, there were several public Common Council work sessions held to discuss the budget.  During these work sessions, the new fees were discussed in great detail. On November 22, a Public Hearing was held and residents had the opportunity to come and address their concerns. The 2017 Budget was approved at the November 22, 2016 Council meeting. Information regarding these meetings can be found on our webpage under Common Council Meeting Information.

Category: New Fees in 2017

Supporting Documents

PDF icon Wheel Tax FAQ from Department of Transportation (123 KB)
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