Local drivers shouldn’t expect the state legislature to make concessions next year and rollback the sharply higher vehicle registration fees that were implemented this year.

That’s because part of those higher vehicle registration fees that residents are paying is going to local government, and those local governments won’t be lobbying legislators very hard to make the dollars go away.

According to the Orchard City town administration’s budget message, “We will have some additional revenue from the Highway User’s Tax Fund from the increased registration fees for vehicles. We get a small portion of that. Because of these (vehicle registration changes) there is more money available that is passed down to the counties and municipalities.”

Orchard City’s share in 2010 of the vehicle registration windfall will be an additional $7,000 that will go into the town’s Road Fund.

The following year, 2011, the town currently expects to pocket a $13,000 payout from the state as its share of higher prices charged to residents for licensing and registering their vehicles.

Other units of local government also will get a share of the extra money that motorists are paying.

The town is budgeting for two big road projects next year. They are chip-and-seal projects on North road and 2100 Road.

Town Administrator David Varley explained the North Road chip-and-seal work will extend from Highway 65 east to near the Old Goat Trail Road intersection.

The 2100 Road chip-and-seal will treat the section between Highway 65 and Austin Road.

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