Cayuga County legislators heard public opposition Thursday to a proposed local law that would establish a county motor vehicle tax, with speakers citing rising tax burdens and uncertainty about how the tax would be applied.
The public hearing addressed a proposed local law for 2025 establishing a Cayuga County motor vehicle tax pursuant to New York State Tax Law Sections 1202(A) and 1202(E). The measure would authorize the county to impose a fee on registered vehicles but does not set specific implementation details within the local law itself.
Mark Metz, state manager for the Marshall Companies in Weedsport, told legislators his businesses collectively register 385 vehicles in Cayuga County and already pay substantial state and federal transportation-related taxes. Metz said the proposal raised unanswered questions about which vehicles would be subject to the tax.
“There’s a lot of unknowns,” Metz said, asking whether semi-trailers, tag-along trailers or portion-plated vehicles would be included. He also cited existing highway use and heavy vehicle taxes paid by his companies, including more than $1 million in highway use taxes in one division last year.
Metz urged lawmakers to consider exemptions for vehicles already subject to highway use taxes, particularly those exceeding 16,000 pounds.
Resident Sue Dwyer also spoke against the proposal, framing the motor vehicle tax as part of a broader pattern of rising costs for county residents.
“Tonight, this body is contemplating adding yet a new, permanent tax on our vehicles,” Dwyer said. She cited increases in utility, school and county taxes and said many residents are struggling to remain in their homes. Dwyer urged legislators not to enact any new taxes, including the vehicle tax.
The public hearing was also held in conjunction with a second proposed local law opting the county out of establishing a short-term rental registration system while requiring additional occupancy tax reporting, though no public comment was recorded on that measure during the hearing.
No vote was taken on the proposed motor vehicle tax following the public hearing. The resolution to adopt the local law remained on the Legislature’s agenda for future consideration.
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