By Gary Lloyd
MONTGOMERY — A bill that could allow cities in Jefferson County to issue car tags has gone to Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley for approval after passing the Senate on Thursday, according to Rep. Paul DeMarco, R-Homewood.
“Common sense legislation to serve people,” DeMarco posted on Twitter on Thursday.
If Bentley signs the bill into law, Jefferson County cities could choose to issue license plates for the county, adding as much as a $5 service fee to recoup costs.
The city of Vestavia Hills will be the test city. Clay City Manager Ronnie Dixon said that Clay will participate if the test at Vestavia Hills goes well.
Trussville City Councilman Brian Plant said that if issuing car tags from Trussville City Hall is “practical,” then it’s something Trussville residents will want offered. One of the questions on a survey mailed to more than 8,000 Trussville addresses in November by Mayor Gene Melton asked if residents would renew vehicle tags at Trussville City Hall if allowed to do so. Of 1,048 responses to the question, 985 said they’d favor the renewal process at Trussville City Hall. Just 63 said they would not favor it.
Pinson will likely not consider the move at this time.
Since Jefferson County lost its occupational tax, the county has struggled with staffing its revenue office with enough personnel to handle car tags.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.