Sedgwick County Commissioners have deferred a vote on a potential transaction fee increase for the county's tag office.
County Treasurer Brandi Baily explained the fee increase was necessary in helping the tag office provide timely and accurate service, hire and retain qualified employees and to operate the office without requiring continuous support from the county's general fund, which is property tax-supported. The tag office is supposed to be funded through fee-based motor vehicle transactions.
The transaction fee would have increased from $5 to $9.50 in 2027 for renewals, registration and title transactions, temporary permits, special plates and salvage vehicle transactions. The county says the move would have increased revenue for the tag office by about $3.2 million.
A few of the commissioners believed the proposed fee increase was too high and voted to defer the motion until next week, once they receive additional information from the county's HR, IT, and finance departments.
The county must decide on any changes in the fee prior to October 1.
