Beadle County Voters Soundly Reject Wheel Tax Increase

HURON, S.D. (AP) — Voters in Beadle County have rejected an increased wheel tax for the third time in eight years.

County commissioners in August approved a higher wheel tax to help the county tap into a pool of state money available for bridge repairs. Opponents gathered enough petition signatures to force a public vote on the decision.

KOKK radio reports that 58 percent of nearly 1,900 voters in Tuesday's election opposed the tax increase.

Voters also defeated wheel tax expansions in 2010 and 2007.

Commission Chairman Rick Benson says officials will look at other options for maintaining highway infrastructure.

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