Marshall County horse-drawn vehicle licensing generates nearly $50K annually for road maintenance

As the spring season gets underway, Marshall County officials are reminding residents about the annual licensing requirements for horse-drawn vehicles, a program that continues to generate nearly $50,000 a year for local road maintenance.

Enacted by the Marshall County Commissioners in 2015, the licensing ordinance was established to help offset the increased costs of maintaining county roads utilized by these conveyances. Under the local ordinance, a horse-drawn vehicle is broadly defined as a buggy, carriage, dray, wagon, or trailer towed behind a horse-drawn or non-motorized vehicle, as well as any other conveyance on wheels.

Owners of these vehicles are required to purchase an annual license, which is issued as a permanent, self-adhesive metallic tag. The license costs $50 per year, plus a $5 processing fee. The tags are valid from March 1 through May 31 of the following year. Residents are advised that a $25 late fee is strictly applied to any licenses purchased after the May 31st deadline.

The program has proven to be a steady source of additional revenue for the county's infrastructure needs. In 2024, the county collected $48,599 in revenue, which equates to approximately 970 plates or stickers issued. In 2025, the revenue saw a slight decrease to $47,475, representing roughly 948 plates or stickers.

A representative from the County Highway Department noted that the exact revenue and number of tags sold naturally vary from year to year. The final revenue totals can also fluctuate depending on how many $25 late fees are collected during a given cycle. Additionally, officials noted that the processing fee associated with Lake City Bank increased in 2025, which factored into the recent financial data.