SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Spokane Valley residents are going to see a jump in the amount they pay for car tabs.
During its Tuesday night meeting, the Spokane Valley City Council approved a $20 increase to tab renewal fees for residents. According to the council, the increase will go into effect in July 2024 and will help maintain and improve the city's roads.
"This is to help take care of our primarily our residential streets," Spokane Valley city council member Arne Woodward said. "If you walk those streets. They're so alligatored that I don't know that they'll make five years."
The increase in car tabs is expected to raise an estimated $2.8 million per year for road maintenance.
"This has been a conversation, in our council meetings over 70 times," said Jill Smith, the communications manager for Spokane Valley. "By maintaining these roads, we're decreasing the wear and tear on the drivers vehicles."
Smith says the city budget is about $8 million dollars a year for road maintenance. Money raised from car tabs will help supplement this budget.
"This is good for the community because we all use these roads," Smith said.
Other council members fear the increase in car tabs cost will hurt members of the community.
"If you're on a fixed income, it has a disproportionate effect on your financial well being," Spokane Valley City Councilmember Brandi Peetz said.
The city says there are more than 140,000 vehicles that are registered in the city.
The increase will begin on July 1, 2024. For people that live in Spokane Valley, they will not have to pay for the increase until they renew their tabs.
DOWNLOAD THE KREM SMARTPHONE APP
DOWNLOAD FOR IPHONE HERE | DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID HERE
HOW TO ADD THE KREM+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KREM in the Channel Store.
Fire TV: Search for "KREM" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
Apple TV: Search "Spokane News from KREM" in the Apple store or follow this link.
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email webspokane@krem.com.