CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) Montgomery County Commissioners took up a proposed wheel tax increase and voted to approve formation of a Charter Commission on consolidated government.

“This was not a vote on consolidation tonight, it was a vote to form a commission to write a charter and let the people vote on it,” said County Mayor Jim Durrett.

Commissioners voted 13-8 to form the Charter Commission. The Clarksville City Council passed a similar resolution last week.

OPINION: County commissioner explains consolidated government proposal

The board did not go along with a proposed $50 hike in the Montgomery County Wheel Tax at their Monday meeting, but instead approved a $15 increase.

The Motor Vehicle Privilege Tax, better known as the wheel tax, has been in place in Montgomery County since 1988 at a cost of $30, which means if the measure had passed the tax could have gone up to $80.

Montgomery County, Mayor Jim Durrett had proposed raising the wheel tax to $50, as opposed to a property tax increase, to fund school construction and help alleviate the growing problem of overcrowding in Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools.

Commissioner Robert Nichols presented an amendment for a $30 increase which failed to pass. Commissioner David Harper then called for the wheel tax resolution to be reconsidered and made a motion for a $15 increase which passed the commission by a 15-6 vote.

It was just the first reading for the measure and Mayor Durrett said it would have to be voted on again in 30 days and again pass the commission by a two-thirds majority which means it could become law sometime around August 1.

Mayor Durrett has continued to stress the need for funding for schools. “I personally think we’ve got to do something if we’re going to go forward and fund these additions to these schools and if we’re going to do that I don’t think property tax is the way to pay for it,” said Durrett.

Commissioner Martha Brockman offered one amendment to the wheel tax increase which allows one vehicle to be exempt for non-resident military households in the county.