Eureka man shocked at vehicle registration cost in Lincoln Co.

I moved to Eureka from the Flathead a year ago and received my on line Flathead vehicle registration card in my forwarded mail. This year's Flathead premium for my 2019 Toyota Tacoma was $126.69; thinking it would be approximately the same fee, I headed over to the Eureka Annex. 

Nothing could have prepared for the shockingly unexpected outlay for registering in Lincoln County.

I was charged $241.17; twice the cost of a Flathead County registration! The light vehicle registration fee was $87; then the additional fees began to stack up. MHP fee, MDV admin fee, state parks and veterans cemetery fee; then came the kicker: $114.48 for County Option Tax!

I have never encountered a tax that was 30% higher than the original registration fee; this is simply outrageous! I called the County Treasurer and requested an explanation; not only did the woman who answered not know what the fee was or how it was used, however she was emphatic that it wasn’t an option.

All taxes and levies are normally approved by the taxpayers who elect qualified individuals to represent our interests; in this case there appears to be a serious problem of taxation without representation. 

I have reached out to several agencies and individuals including the Governor’s office; I have yet to receive a credible response from any and no response for our Governor.

John E. Mello Jr., Eureka
SFC, USA, Retired