Paying for Better Roads and Bridges
No one likes to have to pay the government more. Then again, no one likes it when their car or truck bounces from one pothole to another.
Belmont County commissioners want to do something about the latter. At the urging of county Engineer Terry Lively, they plan to increase vehicle license plate fees. The proposed increase would cost $5 a year more, per vehicle owned by county residents.,
As Lively pointed out, his department relies on license plate fees and fuel tax income. Both sources of money have been stagnant for years. The last time license plate fees were raised was 1968. Meanwhile, the cost of repairing roads and bridges has increased.
Commissioners are right to pursue the higher fee. Five dollars is a minimal price to pay for better county roads and bridges.