Canyon County’s proposed $20 vehicle fee would raise about $4.4 million; Caldwell projected to get roughly $600,000

Interim public works director Haley Hart presented a countywide proposal at the Caldwell council workshop to add a $20 annual local-option registration fee per vehicle, saying the charge is intended to help close a combined transportation funding shortfall across Canyon County.

Hart described an estimated $49,000,000 cumulative shortfall for local transportation funding through 2050 and said a $20-per-vehicle fee would raise roughly $4,400,000 annually countywide. Under the proposed distribution formula and a 50/50 split described by Hart between city highway districts and the county highway districts, Hart said the City of Caldwell could receive a little over $600,000 per year under the proposal.

Hart said jurisdictions in Canyon County and local highway districts — including Nampa, Middleton, Star and Highway District 4 — have met multiple times in 2024 to develop the proposed fee and a distribution formula. She said placement on the ballot would be a county decision: the Board of County Commissioners would act on requests from councils and commissions, with a timeline that would put a request to the board by May 29, and action by the board before Aug. 28 if it were to proceed to a November ballot.

Councilors asked who originated the idea and whether exemptions or differentiated rates had been considered. "Is this being brought forward by the county? Or...Compass?" Councilor Tillman asked; Hart said she was not at the initial meetings and that the effort is a joint pursuit by county jurisdictions and highway districts, and she could not confirm Compass’s involvement. Councilors also asked whether heavier commercial vehicles would be treated differently (which they argued cause disproportionate pavement damage) and whether agricultural exemptions or graduated household fees had been considered; Hart said she would seek that information and return with it.

Hart emphasized that the city would not advocate a position on the ballot measure but would provide baseline facts and public education if the measure is placed before voters. She also warned councilors that if enough jurisdictions request placement, the measure could be placed on the countywide ballot even if Caldwell voted against requesting it. No formal council action was taken at the workshop.