County Takes Dim View of Gas Tax [AUDIO]

The Missoula City Council passed a resolution Monday night intending to seek Missoula County's cooperation in asking the voters to approve a  two cents per gallon tax on gasoline in order to raise funds for sidewalk and road repairs. Missoula County Commission Chairman Bill Carey says most rural residents in the county would overwhelmingly reject such a tax, because city residents would benefit, while county taxpayers would foot most of the bill.

Carey says county residents drive more miles from place to place and therefore would carry a greater burden of paying the extra two cents per gallon of gas. Carey recommends the City pass the tax on its own. Ten out of eleven councilors voted for the resolution, with Adam Hertz the lone dissenting vote. Commissioner Carey says there's not much chance the County will go along, which means a probable increase in property taxes may be proposed. Comments from Commissioner Carey are below.