Treasurer warns state has shifted motor-vehicle costs to counties; farm-exemption paperwork and privacy questions raised

Brown County's treasurer briefed commissioners on upcoming changes affecting the motor-vehicle function, saying a $2.50 fee set to start in January will affect titles and that the state is reducing support for county motor-vehicle systems. The treasurer estimated the fee would apply to roughly 6,000 titles in the county and produce an expense or reallocation of about $6,000 annually (roughly $500 per month), depending on how counties account for the charge.

The treasurer emphasized that proceeds in the county's special motor-vehicle (MBT) account are restricted to motor-vehicle operations (payroll for motor-vehicle clerks, equipment used primarily for motor-vehicle services) and cannot be used for general office supplies. She said counties have been providing state functions and replacing equipment at local expense when the state withdraws support.

Commissioners also discussed agricultural exemptions for sales tax and personal property; staff said that claimants must generally provide a Schedule F or similar proof that the IRS or state recognizes them as actively engaged in farming. Several commissioners and residents raised privacy concerns about putting Schedule F documents on file. The treasurer said certain fields (for example, social-security numbers and FEINs) are blacked out in the office copies but that she would check with the state about whether Schedule F documents can be redacted for additional privacy.

Commissioners asked staff to quantify the expected revenue impact in 2026 from changes to how side-by-sides and similar items are taxed; the treasurer said she would work with the appraiser's office to produce estimates. The board characterized the changes as an example of state-level underfunding that shifts costs to local taxpayers and said they will inform constituents about the causes of revenue pressure.

No formal action was taken; staff will return with more detailed estimates and guidance from state officials about acceptable proof and redaction options for agricultural exemptions.